Development of gene expression during astrocyte differentiation from human embryonic stem cells

To identify genes that affect astrocyte differentiation from human embryonic stem cells, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling. We efficiently derived astrocytes through neural progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells using our developed differentiation method. The cells on day 21 and 28 of astrocyte differentiation were compared with neural progenitor cells. A total of three differentiation sets were statistically processed to select genes that increase and decrease during astrocyte differentiation. Astrocyte samples were sorted with astrocyte progenitor marker CD44.