Differentiating Engineered Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Functional Motor Neurons

Abstract

Source: Garone, M. G., et al. Conversion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) into Functional Spinal and Cranial Motor Neurons Using PiggyBac Vectors. J. Vis. Exp. (2019).

This video showcases the process of differentiating human iPSCs into motor neurons. The rationale involves utilizing iPSCs that have been genetically modified to express specific transcription factors. When cultured in a media containing doxycycline, this antibiotic triggers the expression of transcription factors, thereby promoting iPSC differentiation into motor neuron progenitors. Ultimately, the progenitors are cultured in a neuronal medium to yield mature and functional motor neurons.

Protocol

1. Maintenance of Human iPSCs

1. Preparation of matrix-coated plates
   1. Thaw one 5 mL vial of matrix (see Table of Materials) at 4 °C overnight. The original matrix stocks come at different stock concentrations, and aliquots are made according to the dilution factor indicated on the datasheet and are specific for the individual lot. It is crucial to keep the vial and tubes ice cold to prevent premature gelling of the matrix. Dispense matrix into aliquots in pre-chilled cryotubes on ice. Freeze unused aliquots at -20 °C.
   2. Place one aliquot on ice for about 2 h to thaw.
   3. Dilute the aliquot....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Accutase	Sigma-Aldrich	A6964-100ML	Cell dissociation reagent
B27	Miltenyi Biotec	130-093-566	Serum free supplement for neuronal cell maintenance
Bambanker	Nippon Genetics	NGE-BB02	Cell freezing medium, used here for motor neuron progenitors
BDNF	PreproTech	450-02	Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Blasticidin	Sigma-Aldrich	203350	Nucleoside antibiotic that inhibits protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
BSA	Sigma-Aldrich	A2153	Bovine Serum Albumin. Blocking agent to prevent non- specific binding of antibodies in immunostaining assays
CaCl2	Sigma-Aldrich	C3881	chemicals for electrophysiological solutions
Corning Matrigel hESC-qualified Matrix	Corning	354277	chemicals for electrophysiological solutions
CRYOSTEM ACF FREEZING MEDIA	Biological Industries	05-710-1E	Freezing medium for human iPSCs
D-Glucose	Sigma-Aldrich	G5146	chemicals for electrophysiological solutions
DAPT	AdipoGen	AG-CR1-0016-M005	Gamma secretase inhibitor
Dispase	Gibco	17105-041	Reagent for gentle dissociation of human iPSCs
DMEM/F12	Sigma-Aldrich	D6421-500ML	Basal medium for cell culture
Doxycycline	Sigma-Aldrich	D9891-1G	Used to induce expression of transgenes from epB-Bsd-TT-NIL and epB-Bsd-TT-NIP vectors
DS2U	WiCell	UWWC1-DS2U	Commercial human iPSC line
GDNF	PreproTech	450-10	Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Gibco Episomal hiPSC Line	Thermo Fisher Scientific	A18945	Commercial human iPSC line
Glutamax	Thermo Fisher Scientific	35050038	An alternative to L-glutamine with increased stability. Improves cell health.
Hepes	Sigma-Aldrich	H4034	chemicals for electrophysiological solutions
L-ascorbic acid	LKT Laboratories	A7210	Used in cell culture as an antioxidant
Laminin	Sigma-Aldrich	11243217001	Promotes attachment and growth of neural cells in vitro
NEAA	Thermo Fisher Scientific	11140035	Non-Essential Amino Acids. Used as a supplement for cell culture medium, to increase cell growth and viability.
Neon 100 μL Kit	Thermo Fisher Scientific	MPK10096	Cell electroporation kit
Neon Transfection System	Thermo Fisher Scientific	MPK5000	Cell electroporation system
Neurobasal Medium	Thermo Fisher Scientific	21103049	Basal medium designed for long- term maintenance and maturation of neuronal cell populations without the need for an astrocyte feeder layer
NutriStem-XF/FF	Biological Industries	05-100-1A	Human iPSC culture medium
PBS	Sigma-Aldrich	D8662-500ML	Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffer Saline, with Calcium, with Magnesium
PBS Ca2+/Mg2+ free	Sigma-Aldrich	D8537-500ML	Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffer Saline, w/o Calcium, w/o Magnesium
Penicillin/Streptomycin	Sigma-Aldrich	P4333-100ML	Penicillin/Streptomicin solution used to prevent cell culture contamination from bacteria.
poly-ornithine	Sigma-Aldrich	P4957	Promotes attachment and growth of neural cells in vitro
SU5402	Sigma-Aldrich	SML0443-5MG	Selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)
Triton X-100	Sigma-Aldrich	T8787	4-(1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl)phenyl- polyethylene glycol, t- Octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, Polyethylene glycol tert- octylphenyl ether. Used for cell permeabilization in immunostaining assays
Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor)	Enzo Life Sciences	ALX-270-333-M005	Cell-permeable selective inhibitor of Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK). Increases iPSC survival
μ-Slide 8 Well	Ibidi	80826	Support for high–end microscopic analysis of fixed cells