Generation of clinical grade human embryonic stem cell-derived midbrain dopaminergic progenitors for the treatment of Parkinson disease

Parkinson Disease is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder with a rising prevalence. In this project, we optimized a differentiation protocol to induce midbrain dopamine neuron progenitors from a clinical human embryonic stem cell line. The resulting mDA progenitors demonstrate robust differentiation and functional properties in vitro. Moreover, cryopreserved mDA progenitors, were transplanted into the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats and MPTP-Induced Parkinsonian monkeys, leading to functional recovery. Therefore, this optimized protocol for our clinical hESC line is suitable for generation of clinical-grade mDA progenitors for clinical applications.