Transcription Factor-Mediated Differentiation of Human iPSCs into Neurons.

TitleTranscription Factor-Mediated Differentiation of Human iPSCs into Neurons.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsFernandopulle MS, Prestil R, Grunseich C, Wang C, Gan L, Ward ME
JournalCurr Protoc Cell Biol
Volume79
Issue1
Paginatione51
Date Published2018 Jun
ISSN1934-2616
Abstract

Accurate modeling of human neuronal cell biology has been a long-standing challenge. However, methods to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to neurons have recently provided experimentally tractable cell models. Numerous methods that use small molecules to direct iPSCs into neuronal lineages have arisen in recent years. Unfortunately, these methods entail numerous challenges, including poor efficiency, variable cell type heterogeneity, and lengthy, expensive differentiation procedures. We recently developed a new method to generate stable transgenic lines of human iPSCs with doxycycline-inducible transcription factors at safe-harbor loci. Using a simple two-step protocol, these lines can be inducibly differentiated into either cortical (i Neurons) or lower motor neurons (i LMN) in a rapid, efficient, and scalable manner (Wang et al., 2017). In this manuscript, we describe a set of protocols to assist investigators in the culture and genetic engineering of iPSC lines to enable transcription factor-mediated differentiation of iPSCs into i Neurons or i LMNs, and we present neuronal culture conditions for various experimental applications. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

DOI10.1002/cpcb.51
Alternate JournalCurr Protoc Cell Biol
PubMed ID29924488