iNDI Transcription Factor-NGN2 differentiation of human iPSC into cortical neurons Version 1
michael.ward, Mark Cookson, erika.laraflores, Andy Qi, Luke Reilly, Marianita Santiana, caroline.pantazis
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons are an important tool for studying diverse types of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related dementias. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with these diseases is an important step in developing new therapeutic targets. Here we describe a robust differentiation protocol in which we expressed the human neurogenin 2 (NGN2) transcription factor under a tetracycline-inducible promoter as previously described (Fernandopulle et al. 2018), with several modifications and using a PiggyBac system for delivery. This differentiation protocol yields high percentages of cortical neuron markers.
Steps
Medium Preparation
Induction Medium:
For day 0 to day 3
A | B | C | D |
---|---|---|---|
Reagent | Stock | Final concentration | Amount for 50mL of medium |
Knock out DMEM/F12 | --------- | ------- | 48.5 mL |
N2 supplement | 100X | 1X | 0.5 mL |
Non-essential amino acids (NEAA ) | 100X | 1X | 0.5 mL |
Glutamax | 100X | 1X | 0.5 mL |
Doxycycline | 2mg/mL | 2µg/mL | 0.05 mL |
Chroman I | 50 µM | 50 nM | 0.05 mL |
Neuronal Maturation Medium:
For day 4 and 7
A | B | C | D |
---|---|---|---|
Reagent | Stock | Final concentration | Amount for 50mL of medium |
Knockout DMEM/F12 | --------- | ------- | 24mL |
Brainphys | --------- | --------- | 24mL |
N21MAX | 50X | 1X | 1mL |
GDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
BDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
NT-3 ( in 0.1%BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
Laminin | 6 mg/mL | 1 µg/mL | 0.01 mL |
Doxycycline | 2mg/mL | 2µg/mL | 0.05 mL |
Neuronal Maturation Medium:
For day 10 to day 28
A | B | C | D |
---|---|---|---|
Reagent | Stock | Final concentration | Amount for 50mL of medium |
BrainPhys neuronal medium | ------------ | ------------- | 49 mL |
N21MAX | 50X | 1X | 1 mL |
GDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
BDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
NT-3 (in 0.1% BSA/PBS) | 10 µg/mL | 10 ng/mL | 0.05 mL |
Laminin | 6 mg/mL | 1 µg/mL | 0.01 mL |
Doxycycline | 2mg/mL | 2µg/mL | 0.05 mL |
Differentiation Protocol
Day 0
The iPSCs with a stably integrated human NGN2 using PiggyBac system under a tetracycline-inducible promoter were exposed to doxycycline as follows:
Coat a well of 6 well plate or 10cm dish to be used for differentiation with 1mL
or 4mL
respectively of Matrigel solution, tilting to ensure coverage of entire surface area. Place in 37°C
incubator for 0h 30m 0s
to 1h 0m 0s
.
Aspirate supernatant and resuspend cell pellet with Induction Medium.
Count cells, Gently transfer 0.5-1 x 106iPSCs per one well of 6-well plate in 2-3 mL of Induction Medium or 4-6 × 106 per 10-cm dish in 10-12 mL to be differentiated.
Gently rock plate to evenly distribute cells and place in 37°C
incubator.
Prepare Induction Medium and place in 37°C
water or bead bath to warm during dissociation.
Observe iPSCs under a phase contrast microscope to assess confluency and presence of cell debris. Dish should be dissociated at ~70% to 80% confluency.
Aspirate culture medium and wash with PBS 1X.
Aspirate PBS and add half of culture volume of Accutase
Transfer to 37°C
incubator for0h 10m 0s
When Incubation is ready, tilt the plate and pipet the accutase solution two to three times up and down the culture surface to singularize as single cells.
Quench the Accutase adding half of the culture volume of PBS. Transfer to a new conical tube and rinse with more PBS the culture surface, combine with the cell solution in the tube.
Centrifuge 0h 5m 0s
at 200 - 300 x g at Room temperature
Day 1
Check cells under the microscope, nascent neuritic extensions should begin to be evident after 24 h of doxyxycline exposure.
Prepare Induction Medium but without Chroman I and warm it.
Aspirate medium, wash once with PBS 1X and replace with warm induction medium.
Day 2
Check cells under the microscope, neuritic extensions should be more evident.
Repeat medium change with induction medium as on day 1.
Day 3
Check cells under a microscope. Neurites should be obvious by this time.
Repeat medium exchange with induction medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1micromolar (µM)
.
Day 4
Check cells under a microscope. Pre-differentiated neurons are ready to be re-plated.
Coating dishes
Freshly prepared poly-L-ornithine (PLO), at final concentration at 0.1mg/mL
:
- Using Sodium Borate Buffer pH 8.2, make a
1mg/mL
stock PLO solution. - To prepare working solution dilute to a
0.1mg/mL
with cell culture water then filter through a 0.22µm sterile filter and it is ready to use. - Add half of the culture volume of PLO working solution to dishes and Place in
37°C
incubator for1h 0m 0s
to . - Aspirate PLO working solution from the dishes.
- Wash dishes with cell culture water three times.
- Let dry completely in a culture hood.
- Dishes are ready to use.
Plating pre-differentiated neurons day 4
Once cells are confirmed to be healthy, they should be dissociated with Accutase to re-plated onto final dishes for neuronal maturation and experimental manipulation
Prepare fresh Neuronal Maturation Medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM)
After dissociating cells with Accutase as step 2.4 to 2.9 resuspend cell pellet with Neuronal Maturation Medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM) and count.
Plate 2 x 106 pre-differentiated neurons onto a PLO-coated 6 well with 3-4mL
of Neuronal Maturation Medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM) .
After day 4 do half of the medium change every 3-4 days with Neuronal Maturation Medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM) .