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

Published: 2022-08-19 DOI: 10.17504/protocols.io.8epv5969ng1b/v1

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

1.

Induction Medium:

For day 0 to day 3

ABCD
ReagentStockFinal concentrationAmount for 50mL of medium
Knock out DMEM/F12----------------48.5 mL
N2 supplement100X1X0.5 mL
Non-essential amino acids (NEAA )100X1X0.5 mL
Glutamax100X1X0.5 mL
Doxycycline2mg/mL2µg/mL0.05 mL
Chroman I50 µM50 nM0.05 mL

Neuronal Maturation Medium:

For day 4 and 7

ABCD
ReagentStockFinal concentrationAmount for 50mL of medium
 Knockout DMEM/F12 ----------------   24mL
Brainphys------------------24mL
N21MAX50X1X1mL
GDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 mL
BDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 mL
NT-3 ( in 0.1%BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 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

ABCD
ReagentStockFinal concentrationAmount for 50mL of medium
BrainPhys neuronal medium-------------------------49 mL
N21MAX50X1X1 mL
GDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 mL
BDNF (in 0.1%BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 mL
NT-3 (in 0.1% BSA/PBS)10 µg/mL10 ng/mL0.05 mL
Laminin6 mg/mL1 µg/mL0.01 mL
Doxycycline2mg/mL2µg/mL0.05 mL

Differentiation Protocol

2.

Day 0

The iPSCs with a stably integrated human NGN2 using PiggyBac system under a tetracycline-inducible promoter were exposed to doxycycline as follows:

2.1.

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 .

Note
incubation gives better results

2.10.

Aspirate supernatant and resuspend cell pellet with Induction Medium.

2.11.

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.

2.12.

Gently rock plate to evenly distribute cells and place in 37°C incubator.

2.2.

Prepare Induction Medium and place in 37°C water or bead bath to warm during dissociation.

2.3.

Observe iPSCs under a phase contrast microscope to assess confluency and presence of cell debris. Dish should be dissociated at ~70% to 80% confluency.

2.4.

Aspirate culture medium and wash with PBS 1X.

2.5.

Aspirate PBS and add half of culture volume of Accutase

2.6.

Transfer to 37°C incubator for0h 10m 0s

Note
The time can vary by cell line and density (the optimal density is 70-80%) and the goal to use accutase is singularize as single cells.

2.7.

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.

2.8.

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.

2.9.

Centrifuge 0h 5m 0s at 200 - 300 x g at Room temperature

Note
While centrifuge, aspirate Matrigel solution from plates and add Induction Medium.

3.

Day 1

Check cells under the microscope, nascent neuritic extensions should begin to be evident after 24 h of doxyxycline exposure.

3.1.

Prepare Induction Medium but without Chroman I and warm it.

3.2.

Aspirate medium, wash once with PBS 1X and replace with warm induction medium.

4.

Day 2

Check cells under the microscope, neuritic extensions should be more evident.

4.1.

Repeat medium change with induction medium as on day 1.

5.

Day 3

Check cells under a microscope. Neurites should be obvious by this time.

5.1.

Repeat medium exchange with induction medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1micromolar (µM) .

Note
When using PiggyBac system for hNGN2 the culture might have some mitotic cells, and to suppress them, we add to the neuronal maturation medium, Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM) from day 3 to 28.

6.

Day 4

Check cells under a microscope. Pre-differentiated neurons are ready to be re-plated.

6.1.

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 for 1h 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.
7.

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

7.1.

Prepare fresh Neuronal Maturation Medium + Uridine and Fluorodeoxyuridine (FdU) both at 1 micromolar (µM)

7.2.

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.

7.3.

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) .

Note
The number of pre-differentiated neurons to be re-plated varies depending of the final assay but it can be as follows: 384 well plate (imaging) 10,000 in 100 µL medium/well. 96 well plate (imaging) 6 x 104 in 300 µL medium/well. 12 well plate (Biochemistry) 0.75 to 0.85 x 104 in 2 mL medium/well. 6 well plate (Biochemistry) 2 x 106 in 3-4 mL medium/well 10 cm dish 8 to 10 x 106 in 10- 12 mL medium.

7.4.

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) .

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