Comparative analysis between effects of thalidomide and environmental chemicals on neuronal differentiations in human sphere

To develop molecular indicators of neurodevelopmental disorders related to the exposure to external chemicals, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify genes with the potential to influence neuronal differentiation from embryonic stem cells. Thalidomide (TMD), bisphenol A (BPA), 4-hydroxy-2,2',3,4',5,5',6-heptachlorobiphenyl (4OH-PCB187) and 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) were exposed to human embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived sphere on day 3 after starting sphere formation for 72 hours. Gene expression analysis on the stage of sphere development showed chemical specific characteristics. Thalidomide and three environmental chemicals induced gene expression in human embryonic derived neuroprogenitor spheres were measured on day 3 after exposure to doses of thalidomide, bisphenol A, 4OH-PCB187 and BDE47. Eight experiments were performed using cultured cells for each experiment.