Molecular profiling for the neural patterning and differentiation markers in vitro and in vivo. (A) Neuronal and glial differentiation. Relative mRNA expression levels of the neuronal (Tau and Dcx) and the glial (Gfap and Osp) markers after neural patterning and differentiation in all experiments presenting (+) milestones and in the mouse embryonic VM at embryonic (E) day 11.5, E12.5, and E13.5. Levels of expression are compared with stage IV and presented as mean±SEM; n=3–4. (B) VM patterning in vitro and in vivo. Relative mRNA expression levels of the midbrain (Otx2 and En1), floor plate (Foxa2 and Lmx1a), and basal plate (Nkx6-1 and Nkx2-2) markers after neural patterning and differentiation in all experiments with (+) milestones and in the mouse VM at E11.5, E12.5, and E13.5. Levels of expression are compared with stage III and presented as mean±SEM; n=3–4. (C) Neuronal specification in vitro and in vivo. Relative mRNA expression levels of the dopaminergic markers (Th, Vmat2, Girk2, and Calbindin), the glutamatergic marker (vGlut2), and the GABAergic markers (Gad1 and Brn3a) as well as the cholinergic markers (Vacht and Isl1) and the synaptic marker (Syn1) after neural differentiation in the 5-stage protocol experiments with (+) milestones and in the mouse VM at E11.5, E12.5, and E13.5. Mean±SEM; n=3–4; *P<0.05; **P<0.01 significantly different from stage IV by Student t-test. #P<0.05; ##P<0.01 significantly different from stage V by Student t-test. ND, not detected.