Figure 6.

PD-OPA1 NPCs Have a Reduced Neuronal Differentiation Potential

(A–P) TH (green) and MAP2 (red) immunofluorescence staining for PD-OPA1 and ND NPC-derived neurons in the basal condition (A, E, I, and M) or treated with NAC (B, F, J, and N), Z-VAD (C, G, K, and O), or Nec-1s (D, H, L, and P).

(Q and R) PD-OPA1 NPCs generated a reduced number of viable neurons compared with ND NPCs after two months in culture. All the treatments increased the number of Map2⁺ (Q) and TH⁺ (R) cells, showing a protective effect on the NPC differentiation potential. However, Z-VAD is less efficient than NAC and Nec-1s in protecting from DA neuronal death.

Data expressed as mean ± SEM, n = 4 independent experiments. ^∗p < 0.05, ^∗∗p < 0.01 ^∗∗∗p < 0.001. Statistical analysis is performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-test. Scale bars, 100 μm.