Differential effects of fluoxetine and venlafaxine in the neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) revealed by a cell lineage map

Abstract There is a need for in vitro tests for the evaluation of chemicals and pharmaceuticals that may cause developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) in humans. The neural embryonic stem cell test (ESTn) is such an in vitro test that mimics early neural differentiation. The aim of this study was to define the biological domain of ESTn based on the expression of selective markers for certain cell types, and to investigate the effects of two antidepressants, fluoxetine (FLX) and venlafaxine (VNX), on neural differentiation. A cell lineage map was made to track neural differentiation and the effects of FLX and VNX in ESTn. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed differentiation from an embryonic stem cell population to a mixed culture of neural progenitors, neurons and neural crest cells 7 days into differentiation. Maturing neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were present after 13 days. Exposure to FLX or VNX led to different expression patterns between compounds at both time points. On day 7, both compounds upregulated most of the stem cell- and immature neuron markers, but had distinct effects on neural subtype markers. FLX downregulated glycinergic markers and upregulated cholinergic markers, while VNX had the opposite effect. On day 13, FLX and VNX affected their specific therapeutic targets, represented by mainly serotonergic markers by FLX- and dopaminergic and noradrenergic markers in VNX-exposed cultures, as well as oligodendrocyte and glycinergic neuron markers. This proof of concept study shows the added value of assessing DNT in ESTn through a cell lineage map and gives mechanistic insight in the potential neurodevelopmental effects of FLX and VNX. More compounds should be tested to further evaluate the use of the cell lineage map.