Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells into Neurons

Published: August 30, 2024

Abstract

Source: Mao, X., et al. Neuronal Differentiation from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells In vitro. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

The video showcased a cell culture method for differentiating neural progenitor cells into neurons. By incubating cells in a nutrient-rich medium supplemented with growth factors, the progenitor cells matured into neurons with developed axons and dendrites. A stabilizing agent ensured cell viability and protected against oxidative damage throughout the differentiation process.

Protocol

1. Differentiation from NPCs to neurons (Phase II)

  1. Seed about 5 x 105 mouse embryonic stem cells or mESC derivatives within 2 mL of basal differentiation medium I per well onto the 0.1% gelatin-coated 6-well plates. Randomly divide the mESC derivatives into 3 groups, as Phase II protocol 1, protocol 2, and protocol 3, respectively.
  2. Place the plate into the 5% CO2 incubator at 37 °C to allow for attachment for 6 h. Wash them twice with 2 mL of PBS.
  3. Add 2 mL of basal differentiation medium I, N2B27 medium I and N2B27 medium II (Table 1), respectively, to each well of the above groups.
  4. Place the plates into the incubator and allow them to differentiate for another 10 days. Change the corresponding medium every 2 days.
  5. Check the differentiation status and record the morphological changes as mentioned in step 3.
  6. On Day 18, evaluate the generation of neurons (β-Tubulin III positive) and determine the differentiation efficiency of the 3 protocols used in step 4.

Representative Results

Table 1: Details of the 3 protocols used in phase II differentiation.

Differentiation Phase II (10d)
Protocols Media
Protocol 1 Differentiation naturally: With basal differentiation medium I only Basal differentiation medium I: DMEM/F12 +15%FBS +1%NEAA +0.1mM 2ME+ 1%P/S
Protocol 2 Differentiation with N2B27 medium I N2B27 medium I: DMEM/F12 + 1%N2 + 2%B27 + 1%GlutaMAX +0.1mM 2ME
Protocol 3 Differentiation with N2B27 medium II N2B27 medium II: 49% DMEM/F12+ 1% N2 + 48% Neurobasal medium + 2% B27 +1%GlutaMAX+ 0.1mM 2ME

Offenlegungen

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Materials

Anti-β-Tubulin III antibody produced in rabbit Sigma Aldrich T2200 stored at -80 °C, avoid repeated freezing and thawing
B-27 Supplement (50X), serum free Gibco 17504044 stored at -20 °C, and protect from light
DME/F-12 1:1 (1x) HyClone SH30023.01B stored at 4 °C
Fetal bovine serum HyClone SH30084.03 stored at -20 °C, avoid repeated freezing and thawing
Fluorescence microscopy Olympus CKX53
Gelatin Gibco CM0635B stored at room temperature
GlutaMAX Supplement Gibco 35050061 stored at 4 °C
Immunol Staining Primary Antibody dilution Buffer Beyotime P0103 stored at 4 °C
KnockOut DMEM/F-12 Gibco 12660012 stored at 4 °C
MEM Non-essential amino acids solution Gibco 11140076 stored at 4 °C
N-2 Supplement (100X) Gibco 17502048 stored at -20 °C and protect from light
Normal goat serum Jackson 005-000-121 stored at -20 °C
Neurobasal Medium Gibco 21103049 stored at 4 °C
Nonadhesive bacterial dish Corning 3262
Phosphate Buffered Saline (1X) HyClone SH30256.01B stored at 4 °C
Penicillin/ Streptomycin Solution HyClone SV30010 stored at 4 °C
PD0325901(Mirdametinib) Selleck S1036 stored at -20 °C
Retinoic acid Sigma R2625 stored at -80 °C and protect from light
Strain 129 Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Cyagen MUAES-01001 Maintained in feeder-free culture system
2-Mercaptoethanol Gibco 21985023 stored at 4 °C and protect from light
4% paraformaldehyde Beyotime P0098 stored at -20 °C
6 – well plate Corning 3516
60 mm cell culture dish Corning 430166
15 ml centrifuge tube NUNC 339650

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Diesen Artikel zitieren
Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells into Neurons. J. Vis. Exp. (Pending Publication), e22410, doi: (2024).

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