Presented here is a protocol for the generation of a single-cell culture of human embryonic stem cells and their subsequent differentiation into neural progenitor cells. The protocol is simple, robust, scalable, and suitable for drug screening and regenerative medicine applications.
In vitro differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) has transformed the ability to study human development on both biological and molecular levels and provided cells for use in regenerative applications. Standard approaches for hESC culture using colony type culture to maintain undifferentiated hESCs and embryoid body (EB) and rosette formation for differentiation into different germ layers are inefficient and time-consuming. Presented here is a single-cell culture method using hESCs instead of a colony-type culture. This method allows maintenance of the characteristic features of undifferentiated hESCs, including expression of hESC markers at levels comparable to colony type hESCs. In addition, the protocol presents an efficient method for neural progenitor cell (NPC) generation from single-cell type hESCs that produces NPCs within 1 week. These cells highly express several NPC marker genes and can differentiate into various neural cell types, including dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes. This single-cell culture system for hESCs will be useful in investigating the molecular mechanisms of these processes, studies of certain diseases, and drug discovery screens.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to differentiate into the three primary germ layers, which then differentiate into various multipotent progenitor cell lineages. These lineages subsequently give rise to all cell types in the human body. In vitro hESC culture systems have transformed the ability to study human embryonic development and have served as a valuable tool for obtaining new insights into how these processes are regulated at the biological and molecular levels. Similarly, studies of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from reprogramming somatic cells isolated from human patients provide novel insights into various diseases. In addition, progenitor and differentiated cells derived from hESCs can be useful for research involving stem cell therapy and drug screening1,2,3,4.
hESCs can be induced to differentiate into neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which are multipotential cells with an extensive self-renewal capacity. Subsequently, these cells can be differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes5,6. NPCs also offer a cellular system for in vitro studies of neurodevelopmental biology and various neurological diseases. However, current colony type culture methods involving hESCs and their differentiation into NPCs are inefficient and often involve coculture as well as embryoid body (EB) and rosette formation5,7,8,9. These protocols exhibit lower survival rates and spontaneous differentiation and are more time-consuming.
Presented here is an improved and robust culture system that is easily scalable and uses high density single-cell type culture of hESCs10. The inclusion of Roh-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor contributed to significantly enhanced survival efficiency during single cell type culture of hESC10,11,12,13,14. In this culture system, hESCs can be easily maintained and expanded. In addition, the protocol presents an efficient method to generate NPCs from single-cell type culture of hESCs, which allows the production of highly pure NPCs. Inhibition of BMP/TGFβ/activin signaling pathways with ALK inhibitors efficiently induce differentiation of single-cell type hESCs into NPCs15,16, which then can be induced to differentiate into functional neural lineages, such as dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes.
In summary, the single-cell type culture protocol using hESCs offers an attractive model to study the differentiation of these cells into various lineages, including NPCs. This protocol is easily scalable and therefore suitable for generating cells for research involving regenerative therapy and drug screening.
1. Preparation of hESC-qualified Basement Membrane Matrix-coated Plates
2. Adaptation of Colony type hESCs to Single-cell hESC Culture
3. Embryoid Body Formation and Differentiation into Three Germ Layers (Figure 2)
4. Differentiation of Single-cell Type hESCs Into NPCs (Figure 3)
5. NPC Expansion and Cryopreservation
6. Preparation of poly-L-ornithine (PLO) and Laminin Coated Plates
7. Differentiation of hESC-derived NPCs Into Dopaminergic Neurons (Figure 6A)
8. Differentiation of ESC-derived NPCs into Astrocytes
9. Immunofluorescence Staining
Presented here is an improved protocol for the maintenance and expansion of single-cell type culture of hESCs and their efficient differentiation into neural progenitor cells, which subsequently differentiates into various downstream neural lineages, including dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes.
Representative phase contrast images show cell morphology at different steps during the adaptation of colony type hESCs to the single-cell type culture (Figure 1A). Through the single-cell culture condition, it was found that the adapted hESCs were able to be maintained at high density, then easily and efficiently subcultured when reaching confluency (Figure 1A,B). These cells retained the cell cycle characteristics (i.e., a short G1 phase and high proportion of cells in S phase) typical of colony type hESCs (Figure 1C,D). They also expressed the ESC markers (i.e., OCT4, TRA 1-81, SOX2, and NANOG) at levels comparable to those of colony type hESCs as indicated by QRT-PCR and immunostaining analysis (Figure 7, Table 2). Moreover, it was shown that single-cell hESCs were able to form embryoid bodies containing cells from all three germ layers: endoderm (SOX17 expression), mesoderm (SMA expression) and ectoderm (Tuj-1 expression) (Figure 2).
Next, it was demonstrated that single-cell type hESCs efficiently differentiated into neural progenitor cells using an NPC protocol (Figure 3A), as indicated by the loss of typical hESC morphology and appearance of NPC morphology (Figure 3B)16. NPC differentiation was supported by the increased expression of the signature NPC markers (i.e., SOX1, OTX2, ZIC1, and OTX1; Figure 5A, Table 2) and confirmed by immunostaining and FACS analysis. The same analysis also showed that more than 90% of the cells stained positive for SOX1, PAX6, and NCAM protein (Figure 5B,C). To examine the ability of single-cell hESC-derived NPCs to differentiate into various downstream neural lineages, the differentiation of these cells into dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes was examined. As shown in Figure 6A,B, single-cell hESC-derived NPCs were able to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes, as indicated by the appearance of characteristic morphologies and expression of lineage-specific dopaminergic markers (i.e., TH; Figure 6A) and astrocyte markers (i.e., GFAP and S100B; Figure 6B).
Figure 1: Adaptation of colony type hESCs to single-cell type culture. (A) Representative phase contrast images of single cell cultures of H9 hESCs at different times after plating on 2% basement membrane matrix-coated dishes. Low (left) and high (right) magnification. Top panel: representative image of colony type hESCs. Other panels show representative images of cultures at different times during the adaptation to single-cell type hESCs. Scale bar = 200 μm. (B) Growth curves of H9 hESCs were monitored in 2% basement membrane matrix-coated plates with 10 μM ROCK inhibitor for the first 24 h during the single-cell culture condition. (C,D) Cell cycle analysis of colony type (C) and single-cell type (D) H9 hESCs by flow cytometry. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: In vitro differentiation of adapted single-cell type hESCs into three germ layers. (A) Representative phase images of embryonic bodies (EB) derived from single-cell type of hESCs. Scale bar = 100 μm. (B) Immunofluorescent images of differentiated hESCs analyzed for the expression of the three different germ layer markers: SOX17 (endoderm), SMA (mesoderm), and Tuj-1 (ectoderm). Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 50 μm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Differentiation of single-cell type hESCs into neural progenitor cells by direct differentiation. (A) Schematic of the differentiation protocol of hESCs into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). hESCs were treated with dorsomorphin (DMH) and SB431542 (SB) 1 day after plating. (B) Representative phase contrast images of cell morphology during neural differentiation. Scale bar = 200 μm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 4: hESC culture on different basement membrane matrix products. (A) hESCs cultured on Matrigel or Geltrex exhibited an ability to grow and differentiate into NPCs that was similar to the single cell-culture. Cells were stained with a NESTIN antibody. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 50 μm. (B) hESCs cultured on Matrigel or Geltrex showed similar potential to differentiate into NPCs as indicated by the percentage of NESTIN- and PAX6-positive cells. Cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at day 7 of NPC differentiation. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 5: Expression of NPC markers. (A) After 7 days of neural differentiation, expression of NPC marker genes (i.e., OTX1, OTX2, SOX1, and ZIC1) was analyzed by QRT-PCR. Values were normalized to GAPDH and calculated relative to the values of hESCs (p < 0.05). (B) The percentage of SOX1-, NESTIN-, SOX2-, and NCAM-positive cells was determined by flow cytometry at day 7 of NPC differentiation. (C) At day 7 NPC differentiation, cells were stained with antibodies against the neural markers SOX1, NESTIN, NCAM, OTX2, and PAX6. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 100 μm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 6: Dopaminergic neuron and astrocyte differentiation of NPCs derived from single-cell type hESCs. (A) Representative phase contrast image of dopaminergic neurons (top panel). Scale bar = 100 μm. Differentiated cells were stained with antibodies against the dopaminergic neuron marker TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) as indicated. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 50 μm. (B) Representative phase contrast image of astrocytes (top panel). Scale bar = 100 μm. Differentiated cells were stained with antibodies against the astrocyte marker GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and S100-B (S100 calcium binding protein B), as indicated. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 50 μm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 7: Characterization of single cell type hESCs. (A) hESCs adapted to single-cell type culture were analyzed for the expression of ESC markers (i.e., OCT4, NANOG, and SOX2) by QRT-PCR. Values were normalized to GAPDH (p < 0.05). (B) Immunofluorescent images of hESCs stained for the expression of the pluripotency markers OCT4, TRA-1-81, and SSEA-1. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar = 50 μm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Primary Antibodies | Species | Dilution | Catalog Number | Company |
OCT4 | Mouse | 1:1000 | sc-5279 | Santa Cruz |
TRA 1-81 | Mouse | 1:500 | sc-21706 | Santa Cruz |
SSEA-1 | Mouse | 1:500 | sc-21702 | Santa Cruz |
SOX1 | Goat | 1:500 | AF-3369 | R&D |
SOX2 | Rabbit | 1:1,000 | sc-20088 | Santa Cruz |
SMA | Rabbit | 1:500 | ab-5694 | Abcam |
Tuj1 | Mouse | 1:1000 | T8578 | Sigma |
NESTIN | Mouse | 1:1000 | ab-22035 | Abcam |
OTX2 | Mouse | 1:250 | ab-21990 | Abcam |
hNCAM | Mouse | 1:200 | sc-106 | Santa Cruz |
hPAX6 | Mouse | 1:250 | 561664 | BD |
TH | Mouse | 1:500 | T1299 | Sigma |
S100b | Mouse | 1:250 | ab4066 | Abcam |
GFAP | Rabbit | 1:1,000 | ab7260 | Abcam |
Secondary Antibodies | ||||
Anti-mouse | Goat | 1:1,000 | AF 488 or 647 | Life Technologies |
Anti-rabbit | Goat | 1:1,000 | AF 488 or 647 | Life Technologies |
Table 1: Antibodies used in immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis.
Primer name | Primer sequence | |
OCT4 | F: GGAAGGTATTCAGCCAAACG | |
R: CTCCAGGTTGCCTCTCACTC | ||
NANOG | F: GGTTCCAGAACCAGAGAATGA | |
R: ATTGGAAGGTTCCCAGTCG | ||
SOX1 | F: CCTTAGGTTTCCCCTCGCTTT | |
R: CAGGCTGAATTCGGTTCTCATT | ||
OTX1 | F: AAGATCAACCTGCCGGAGTCT | |
R: CGTGAATTGGCCACTGCTTT | ||
OTX2 | F: TGGAAGCACTGTTTGCCAAG | |
R: TAAACCATACCTGCACCCTCG | ||
ZIC1 | F: AACCCCAAAAAGTCGTGCAAC | |
R: TCCTCCCAGAAGCAGATGTGA | ||
GAPDH | F: CCCATCACCATCTTCCAGGAG | |
R: CTTCTCCATGGTGGTGAAGACG |
Table 2: List of primers used in QRT-PCR analysis.
Scalable and efficient methods for the differentiation of hESCs into various lineages and the generation of sufficient numbers of differentiated cells are important criteria for drug screening and stem cell therapy. Various single-cell passing methods have been published, in which cells are cultured in the presence of ROCK inhibitor or other small molecules to improve survival, but the final products of these culture methods are colony type hESCs17,18,19,20,21. The single-cell ESC protocol, which is partially based on previously published methods19,20,21,22, successfully generates and maintains single cell-type hESC cultures and prevents colony type hESC culture. It includes high density single cell plating, multicellular association, monolayer growth, and efficient subculture (Figure 1). The latter was achieved by the addition of ROCK inhibitor during the initial 24 h of single-cell type culture of hESCs, which improves cell survival17,18,19,20,21. This protocol is more easily scalable and allows expansion of these cells for therapeutic applications in drug screening and stem cell.
It is further demonstrated that single-cell type hESCs can efficiently differentiate to the NPC lineage (Figure 3) without use of an intermediate stage, such as EB and rosette formation23,24,25. High neural conversion from single-cell type hESCs was achieved through the inhibition of BMP/TGFβ/activin signaling pathways by treatment with the ALK inhibitors, dorsomorphin, and SB43154215,16,26. With this protocol, the adapted single-cell type hESCs can efficiently differentiate into NPCs without the need for EB and rosette formation (Figure 5) and or be induced to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes (Figure 6).
In summary, single-cell type culture of hESCs provides a rapid and efficient system to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate multistep differentiation to various lineages. Specifically, this protocol utilized NPCs and described their subsequent differentiation into additional neural lineages, such as astrocytes and dopaminergic neurons. The protocol provides a platform for simple, robust, and scalable production of progenitor and differentiated cells that can be suitable for basic studies, drug screening, and applications in regenerative medicine.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
We thank Dr. Carl D. Bortner (NIEHS) for his assistance with the FACS analysis. This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Institutes of Health, Z01-ES-101585 to AMJ.
35 mm m-dishes | ibidi | 81156 | Cell culture dish |
6-well plates | Corning | 3516 | |
Accutase | Innovative Cell Technologies | AT104-500 | Cell detachment solution |
Activin A | R&D system | 338-AC-050 | |
Ascorbic Acid | Sigma Aldrich | A4403 | |
B27 supplement | Thermo Fisher | 17504044 | |
B27 supplement (-Vit A) | Thermo Fisher | 12587010 | |
BDNF | Applied Biological Materials | Z100065 | |
bFGF | Peprotech | 100-18C | |
Centrifuge | DAMON/ICE | 428-6759 | |
CO2 incubator | Thermo Fisher | 4110 | |
Corning hESC-qulified Matrix (Magrigel) | Corning | 354277 | Basement membrane matrix (used for most of the protocol here) |
Cryostor CS 10 | Stemcell Technologies | 7930 | Cell freezing solution |
Dispase | Stemcell Technologies | 7923 | |
DMEM | Thermo Fisher | 10569-010 | |
DMEM/F12 | Thermo Fisher | 10565-018 | |
Dorsomorphin | Tocris | 3093 | |
EGF | Peprotech | AF-100-16A | |
Fetal Bovine Serum | Fisher Scientific | SH3007003HI | |
FGF8 | Applied Biological Materials | Z101705 | |
GDNF | Applied Biological Materials | Z101057 | |
Geltrex matrix | Thermo Fisher | A1569601 | Basement membrane matrix |
GlutaMax | Thermo Fisher | 35050061 | Glutamine supplement, 100X |
H9 (WA09) human embryonic stem cell line | WiCell | WA09 | |
Heregulin b-1 | Peprotech | 100-3 | |
IGF | Peprotech | 100-11 | |
Knockout DMEM | Thermo Fisher | 10829018 | |
Knockout Serum Replacement | Thermo Fisher | 10828028 | |
Laminin | Sigma Aldrich | L2020 | |
mTeSR1 | Stemcell Technologies | 85850 | hESC culture medium |
N2 supplement | Thermo Fisher | 17502001 | |
NEAA | Thermo Fisher | 11140050 | |
Neurobasal | Thermo Fisher | 21103049 | |
Poly-L-ornithine | Sigma Aldrich | P3655 | |
ROCK inhibitor | Tocris | 1254 | |
SB431542 | Tocris | 1614 | |
SHH | Applied Biological Materials | Z200617 | |
Stemdiff Neural Progenitor medium | Stemcell Technologies | 5833 | NPC expansion medium |