This protocol details an adapted method to derive, expand, and cryopreserve brain microvascular endothelial cells obtained by differentiating human induced pluripotent stem cells, and to study blood brain barrier properties in an ex vivo model.
Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) can be differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to develop ex vivo cellular models for studying blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. This modified protocol provides detailed steps to derive, expand, and cryopreserve BMECs from human iPSCs using a different donor and reagents than those reported in previous protocols. iPSCs are treated with essential 6 medium for 4 days, followed by 2 days of human endothelial serum-free culture medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor, retinoic acid, and B27 supplement. At day 6, cells are sub-cultured onto a collagen/fibronectin matrix for 2 days. Immunocytochemistry is performed at day 8 for BMEC marker analysis using CLDN5, OCLN, TJP1, PECAM1, and SLC2A1. Western blotting is performed to confirm BMEC marker expression, and absence of SOX17, an endodermal marker. Angiogenic potential is demonstrated with a sprouting assay. Trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) is measured using chopstick electrodes and voltohmmeter starting at day 7. Efflux transporter activity for ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 and ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 is measured using a multi-plate reader at day 8. Successful derivation of BMECs is confirmed by the presence of relevant cell markers, low levels of SOX17, angiogenic potential, transporter activity, and TEER values ~2000 Ω x cm2. BMECs are expanded until day 10 before passaging onto freshly coated collagen/fibronectin plates or cryopreserved. This protocol demonstrates that iPSC-derived BMECs can be expanded and passaged at least once. However, lower TEER values and poorer localization of BMEC markers was observed after cryopreservation. BMECs can be utilized in co-culture experiments with other cell types (neurons, glia, pericytes), in three-dimensional brain models (organ-chip and hydrogel), for vascularization of brain organoids, and for studying BBB dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders.
Blood-Brain Barrier Function
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) forms a boundary that limits movement of substances from the blood to the brain. The BBB is comprised of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that form a monolayer lining the vasculature. BMECs, together with astrocytes, neurons, pericytes, microglia, and extracellular matrix, form the neurovascular unit. BMECs have a tightly regulated paracellular structure that allows the BBB to maintain high trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), which limits passive diffusion and serves as an indicator of barrier integrity1,2. BMECs also have proteins that assist with transcellular movement such as endocytosis, transcytosis, and transmigration, as well as extravasation of leukocytes during an immune response3. BMECs rely on influx and efflux transporters for nourishment and removal of waste products, in order to maintain a homeostatic balance in the brain3. For example, solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) is an influx transporter responsible for the movement of glucose across the BBB4, while efflux transporters such as the ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) and the ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1) are responsible for returning substrates back into the blood stream3,5,6,7. ABCB1 substrates include morphine, verapamil4, and antipsychotics such as olanzapine and risperidone8, while the ABCC1 transporter has a variety of substrates including sulfate conjugates, vincristine, and glucuronide conjugates4.
Application of BBB Models in Psychiatric Disorders
BBB dysfunction has been implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder9,10. Recently, iPSC-derived ex vivo cellular models are being utilized to interrogate the cellular and molecular underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, but these models currently do not take into account the potential role played by the neurovasculature11,12,13. It is hypothesized that peripheral inflammatory cytokines circulating in the blood can adversely impact the BBB14,15,16,17, but there is also evidence for paracellular18,19,20,21,22, transcellular23,24,25,26,27,28,29, and extracellular matrix20,29,30,31,32 abnormalities contributing to BBB dysfunction. Disruption of the BBB can result in the contents of the blood entering the brain parenchyma and activating astrocytes and/or microglia to release proinflammatory cytokines, which in turn initiate an inflammatory response33 that can have detrimental effects on the brain34. BMECs are the primary component of the BBB and examining the structure and function of these cells can enhance the understanding of BBB dysfunction in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Alternative BMEC Models
Prior to the development of efficient protocols for deriving BMECs from iPSCs1,6,35,36, researchers had employed immortalized BMECs37 to study BBB function. However, many of these models failed to attain desirable BBB phenotypes, such a physiological range of TEER values38,39. Utilizing iPSCs has the advantage of retaining the genetic background of the individual from which the cells are derived. Scientists are actively working on establishing iPSC-derived ex vivo microenvironment models that recapitulate the structure and function of the human brain. Researchers have developed methods to derive BMECs that are structurally and physiologically similar to BMECs found in vivo. Methods for obtaining purified populations of iPSC-derived BMECs require a number of different steps with protocols being optimized in the last few years1,6,35,36. Generally, iPSC-derived BMECs are cultured in Essential 6 (E6) medium for 4 days, followed by 2 days in human endothelial serum-free medium (hESFM) supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), retinoic acid (RA), and B27 supplement. The cells are then cultured on a collagen IV (COL4) and fibronectin (FN) matrix to obtain >90% homogeneous BMECs1.
The identity of BMECs are confirmed by immunofluorescence showing the co-expression of BMEC proteins including platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM1), SLC2A1, and tight junction proteins such as tight junction protein 1 (TJP1), occludin (OCLN), and claudin-5 (CLDN5)6. Sprouting assays have been used to confirm the angiogenic potential of iPSC-derived BMECs.6 The BBB integrity of BMECs is evaluated by the presence of physiologic in vitro TEER values (~2000Ω x cm2)37 and measurable activity for efflux transporters such as ABCB1 and ABCC11,6,36. Recent methodological advances by the Lippmann group have led to iPSC-derived BMEC protocols with reduced experimental variability and enhanced reproducibility1. However, it is not known whether they can be expanded and passaged beyond the sub-culturing stage. Our modified protocol aims to address this issue by passaging iPSC-derived BMECs beyond day 8 and assessing whether they can be further expanded to retain BBB properties after cryopreservation. While no studies have described passaging of iPSC-derived BMECs, a protocol exists for BMEC cryopreservation that retains physiologic BBB properties after undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle40. However, it is not known post-cryopreservation BMECs can be passaged and retain BBB properties.
BMECs derived from iPSCs using the Lippmann protocol have been utilized to model BBB disruption in neurological disorders such as Huntington’s disease7. Such iPSC-derived BMECs have also been used to investigate the effects of bacterial infection such as Neisseria meningitidis or Group B Streptococcus on disruption of blood-CSF barrier and BBB respectively41,42. Also, using iPSC-derived BMECs from 22q deletion syndrome patients with schizophrenia, researchers observed an increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a major adhesion molecule in BMECs that assist with recruitment and extravasation of leukocytes into the brain43. Taken together, these studies demonstrate the utility of iPSC-derived BMECs for studying BBB disruption in complex neuropsychiatric disorders.
Human iPSCs were reprogrammed from the fibroblasts of healthy donors using a protocol approved by the Institutional Review Boards of Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, and characterized as described in previous studies44,45,46.
NOTE: Briefly, fibroblasts were reprogrammed to iPSC via mRNA-based genetic reprogramming47. The iPSCs were maintained in stem cell medium (SCM) (see material list) and stored at a density of ~1.2 x 102 cells/mL with 1 mL of SCM, 10 μM with rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor (ROCKi) Y-27632, and 10% (v/v) dimethyl sulfide (DMSO), in cryopreserved vials in liquid nitrogen at -160 °C. All of the following procedures below are carried out in a biosafety cabinet unless stated otherwise.
1. Basement membrane matrix dilution and plate coating
2. iPSC maintenance
NOTE: The maximum confluency per well in a 6-well flat-bottom plate is ~1.2 x 106 cells.
3. Differentiation of iPSCs to BMECs
NOTE: Non-enzymatic EDTA separates cells into clumps. Enzymatic EDTA (see Table of Materials) separates cells into single cell suspension. Retinoic acid (RA) should be protected from light.
4. Coating collagen IV (COL4) and fibronectin (FN) Matrix for Purification of iPSC-Derived BMEC
5. Sub-culture and purification of iPSC-Derived BMECs
NOTE: Incubation with enzymatic EDTA may take longer than 15 minutes depending on the confluency of the cells on day 6 of differentiation.
6. Sprouting assay
7. Immunocytochemistry (ICC)
NOTE: ICC is carried out on 24-well flat-bottom plates.
8. TEER Measurement and Analysis
NOTE: Corning 12-Transwell filtered plates are equipped with filters consisting of 1.12 cm2 polyethylene terephthalate membranes and 0.4 micrometer pores. TEER measurements are obtained in technical (3 per well) and biological replicates (3 wells per cell line and/or condition).
9. Efflux Transporter Activity and Analysis
NOTE: Efflux transporter activity assay is performed on a 24-well flat-bottom plate. Efflux transporters of interest include ABCB1 and ABCC1. It is recommended that each condition should be performed in triplicate with control wells (i.e. blank wells without the respective inhibitors).
10. Passaging, Expanding, and Cryopreserving BMECs
BMEC Differentiation
A few critical steps in this protocol should be followed precisely (Figure 1). E6 medium use on day 1 is important, since it is often used for deriving neuroectoderm lineage from iPSCs within a relatively short period of time yielding reproducible results across multiple cell lines36. Another important step is on day 4 of differentiation, where E6 medium should be switched to hESFM with diluted (1:200) B27, 20 ng/mL bFGF and 10 μM RA to expand iPSC-derived BMECs. The addition of B27 supplement is used as an alternative to bovine serum to support serum-free cell culturing1, bFGF is added to facilitate growth of iPSC-derived BMECs6, and RA is used to facilitate the development of the BBB phenotype35. The last important step involves the purification stage, where day 6 iPSC-derived BMECs are sub-cultured onto a COL4/FN coated plate to select iPSC-derived BMECs1,6,35,36. Figure 2 demonstrates the morphological transition from iPSCs to BMECs. After one day of E6 medium (day 1), cellular morphology is similar to that of iPSCs. By day 4 of E6, cells begin to appear visibly distinct from iPSCs and cover most of the well (~90% confluency). By day 6, while cultured in hESFM with diluted (1:200) B27, 20 ng/mL bFGF and 10 μM RA, cellular morphology begins to have an elongated and cobblestone appearance. At day 8, each individual cell is distinct in a large cobblestone pattern. A sprouting assay was performed to demonstrate the angiogenic potential of iPSC-derived BMECs, which resulted in tube-like structures after 3 days of VEGFA165 treatment (Figure 3).
Figure 1: Outline for Differentiation of Human iPSCs to BMECs. Human iPSCs were initially cultured in stem cell medium containing 10 μM Y-27632 for 24 hours before changing medium to E6 for 4 days. On day 4, medium was changed to hESFM with (1:200) B27 supplement, 20 ng/mL bFGF, and 10 μM RA for 2 days. On day 6, cells were sub-cultured onto COL4/FN coated plates. On day 7, medium was changed to hESFM with B27 supplement without bFGF and RA and TEER was measured. On day 8, ICC and efflux transporter activity assays were performed. iPSC-derived BMECs were expanded until day 10 before being passaged to a trans well plate or a 24-well flat bottom plate for TEER measurement and ICC analysis, respectively. Day 8 BMECs were used for the sprouting assay (not depicted). 2 wells of a 6-well plate of iPSC-derived BMECs were collected and stored in hESFM with 10% DMSO and 30% FBS at -80 °C and then in liquid nitrogen for long-term storage at -160oC. On day 12, a peak in TEER value was observed in expanded iPSC-derived BMECs at which point ICC was performed. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: Bright-field Images Depicting Differentiation of iPSCs to BMECs. After one day of culture in E6 medium, iPSCs retain their characteristic morphology. On day 4 in E6 medium, cellular morphology appears distinctly different from iPSCs. On day 6, cellular morphology changes to an elongated and cobblestone appearance. By day 8, cells appear large and with a cobblestone pattern. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Angiogenic Potential of iPSC-derived BMECs. Purified iPSC-derived BMECs were seeded at 100,000 cell/cm2 onto basement membrane matrix in hESFM with (1:200) B27 supplement and 40ng/mL VEGFA165. Tube-like structures appeared after 3 days of VEGFA165 treatment. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Purified iPSC-derived BMECs were seeded at 100,000 cell/cm2 onto basement membrane matrix in hESFM with (1:200) B27 supplement and 40ng/mL VEGFA165. Tube-like structures appeared after 3 days of VEGFA165 treatment.
BMEC characterization was performed using immunocytochemistry for cell-specific markers. iPSC-derived BMECs were assessed for the presence of tight junction proteins (OCLN, TJP1, and CLDN5), which are commonly expressed in the tight junctions of brain endothelial cells3 and endothelial cells in the lung, liver, and kidney18. Other markers such as PECAM1 and SLC2A1, have been previously used as markers for purified BMECs6. PECAM13 and SLC2A4 are both expressed in vascular endothelial cells of the BBB. The iPSC-derived BMECs generated using this protocol co-expressed all five of these markers (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Marker Analysis of iPSC-Derived BMECs. Human iPSC-derived BMECs were stained for tight junction (OCLN, TJP1, CLDN5), influx transporter (SLC2A1), and adherens junction (PECAM1) proteins. OCLN, TJP1, and CLDN5 proteins are primarily localized in the cell membrane. SLC2A1 and PECAM1 are localized in both the nuclei and cell membrane. Hoechst 33342 trihydrochloride trihydrate was used for nuclear staining. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
To characterize BBB function of BMECs, TEER was measured 24 hours (day 7) after sub-culturing and the medium was changed to hESFM with diluted (1:200) B27 without bFGF and RA. TEER measurements were obtained starting at day 7 of differentiation (day 0 of TEER measurement) and peaked at ~2000 Ω x cm2 on day 8 or 48 hours after sub-culturing BMECs (Figure 5). These TEER values are within the range described for co-cultured iPSC-derived BMECs with rat primary astrocytes37. The iPSC line did not have any discernable BBB function according to their low TEER values.
Figure 5: TEER Measurements in iPSC-Derived BMECs. TEER values peaked after one day of sub-culturing on COL4/FN matrix (on day 8 of differentiation). TEER measurements were obtained in technical (3 measures per well) and biological replicates (3 wells per cell line). The technical average value from a blank well was subtracted from raw TEER values. These values were averaged for each day and multiplied by 1.12 cm2 (surface area of the 12-transwell insert). Error bars represent standard error. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
To evaluate ABCB1 and ABCC1 efflux transporter activity, the amount of fluorescent substrate taken up for ABCB1 and ABCC1 were quantified following incubation with their respective inhibitors. As expected, inhibition of ABCB1 and ABCC1 efflux transporters with PSC833 (ABCB1 inhibitor) or MK-571 (ABCC1 inhibitor) led to an increase in rhodamine 123 (R123) or 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), respectively (Figure 6). This evidence suggests that BMECs derived using this protocol have efflux transporter activity.
Figure 6: Efflux Transporter Activity in iPSC-Derived BMECs. Efflux transporter activity in BMECs was determined by quantifying the accumulation of rhodamine 123 (R123) or 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) in the presence or absence of PSC833 (ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) inhibitor) or MK-571 (ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1) inhibitor). Technical triplicates were performed for each condition (N=1). Fluorescence values from the control condition (i.e. without inhibitors) were deducted from raw fluorescence values. These fluorescence accumulation was normalized on a per-cell basis for each technical replicate. Statistical significance was determined using student t-test from the three technical replicates. No statistical significance was observed between the accumulation of R123 with and without ABCB1 inhibitor (t-stat= -1.66, p=0.11). Statistical significance was observed between the accumulation of H2DCFDA with and without ABCC1 inhibitor (t-stat=-7.23, p=0.04). *p<0.05. Error bars represent standard error. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Passaging, Expanding and Cryopreserving iPSC-Derived BMECs
Another aim was to investigate whether iPSC-derived BMECs could be passaged and cryopreserved after sub-culturing. For this purpose, day 7 iPSC-derived BMECs were allowed to expand until day 10 before passaging them onto newly coated COL4/FN 12-transwell filtered plates for TEER measurement and 24-well flat-bottom plate for ICC analysis (Figure 7). Using this condition iPSC-derived BMECs continued to proliferate, maintained the expression of OCLN, TJP1, CLDN5, SCL2A1, and PECAM1 (Figure 8), and continued to sustain proper TEER values (peak at~2000 Ω x cm2) after passaging (Figure 9). Cryopreserved BMECs were later thawed, expanded, and then passaged (Figure 7). TEER measurements of BMECs were obtained 24 hours after thawing and several more days after that. TEER measurements of these post-thawed BMECs were reduced (peaking at only 800 Ω x cm2) when compared to freshly derived BMECs. A second passaging of post thawed BMECs exhibited even lower TEER values (peaking at only 200-300 Ω x cm2) (Figure 9) and showed frayed and/or freckled patterns of the tight junction formation (Figure 10). Western blot analysis48 revealed that iPSCs primarily expressed an endodermal marker (SOX17)49 and some tight junction markers (OCLN), but not other BMEC related markers (TJP1, CLDN5, and SLC2A1) (Figure 11). BMECs primarily expressed endothelial related markers (TJP1, CLDN5, OCLN and SLC2A1), with low levels of the endodermal marker, SOX17.
Figure 7: Bright Field Images of Expanded and Cryopreserved iPSC-derived BMECs. A) Day 10 (4 day after initial sub-culture) cells reached maximum confluency. B) Day 11, 24 hours after passaging onto COL4/FN coated 24-wells plate. C) Day12, 48 hours after passaging onto COL4/FN coated 24-wells plate; peak TEER values was observed and ICC was performed. D) 48 hours post-thawed iPSC-derived BMECs on COL4/FN coated 6-wells plate; cells were previously cryopreserved at 1.2 x 102 cells/mL. E) 24 hours after post-thawed iPSC-derived BMECs were passaged onto COL4/FN coated 6-wells plate. F) 48 hours after post-thawed iPSC-derived BMECs were passaged. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 8: ICC of iPSC-Derived BMECs after Passaging. BMECs were passaged and maintained on COL4/FN matrix until day 12, when TEER values peaked. BMECs on day 12 were stained for tight junction (OCLN, TJP1, CLDN5), influx transporter (SLC2A1) and adherens junction (PECAM1) proteins. The expression pattern and localization resemble those observed in conditions where passaging was not performed, as shown in Figure 4. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 9: Comparing TEER Measurements in iPSCs, non-passaged BMECs, passaged BMECs, cryopreserved BMECs, and cryopreserved & passaged BMECs. On day 1, TEER values peaked for non-passaged and passaged BMECs, but not iPSCs or cryopreserved BMECs. Cryopreserved BMECs had moderate TEER values between day 3 and 7, with even lower TEER values for the cryopreserved & passaged BMECs. iPSCs did not demonstrate any measurable TEER values between day 0 and 9. TEER measurements were obtained in technical (3 measurements per well) and biological replicates (3 per cell line). The technical average value from a blank well was subtracted from the raw TEER values. These values were averaged for each day and multiplied by 1.12 cm2 (surface area of the 12-transwell insert). Error bars represent standard error. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 10: ICC of cryopreserved & passaged BMECs. BMECs were passaged and maintained on COL4/FN until peak TEER values were observed. BMECs were stained for tight junction (OCLN, TJP1, CLDN5), influx transporter (SLC2A1) and adherens junction (PECAM1) proteins. The expression pattern of tight junction markers appeared frayed and/or freckled when compared to non-passaged BMECs (Figure 4) and passaged BMECs (Figure 8). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 11: Western blot analysis of iPSCs, non-passaged BMECs, passaged BMECs, and cryopreserved & passaged BMECs. Western blots showing levels of TJP1, OCLN, SOX17, SLC2A1, CLDN5, and loading control (GAPDH). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Modifications and Troubleshooting
In this protocol, we made some modifications in using a commonly used extracellular matrix and cell culture media during iPSC culturing for derivation of BMECs (Figure 1). These changes did not impact the ability to derive BMECS from human iPSCs as described in the Lippmann protocol1. An iPSC line from a different healthy donor was used to demonstrate that this modified protocol shows results comparable to previous studies with other lines1. For cryopreservation, B27 supplement was used in lieu of 1% platelet poor plasma-derived serum (PDS)40, but this affected BMEC fidelity in subsequent culturing. In regards to troubleshooting, TEER values may fluctuate rapidly before stabilizing. This fluctuation may result from temperature changes occurring when the plates are moved from 37 °C to room temperature37. To overcome this issue, measurements should be taken rapidly, efficiently, and consistently. If necessary, temperature effects can be factored in by using a mathematical formula provided by Blume et al. 200949 to obtain temperature corrected TEER values.
Limitations of This Protocol
Despite obtaining BMECs with a robust BBB phenotype (i.e. high TEER value), maintaining this BBB property for an extended period of time continues to be a major challenge. As shown here, peak TEER values (~2000 Ω x cm2) using this protocol were much lower than previously reported peak TEER values (~8000 Ω x cm2)1. Despite this observation, TEER values fell within the usual range (2000-8000 Ω x cm2) of previously reported values1. A second limitation is the variability in peak TEER values that results from different iPSC lines used, which has been observed in other versions of this protocol36. The variation between different cell lines may be due to the growth and expansion rate of each iPSC line, which is impacted by environmental factors51. Another limitation is related to cryopreservation, as our protocol did not maintain BMEC fidelity. It is possible that 1% PDS40 provides greater stability of BMECs during cryopreservation.
Significance with Respect to Existing Methods
The iPSC-derived BMECs provide cells that have the genetic background of specific individuals, which is valuable in utilizing these cells for the study of disease biology. This is not the case when using animal models or primary BMEC cultures extracted from other animals37. Moreover, in vitro primary BMEC cultures show low TEER values (~100 Ω x cm2 37), much lower than those achieved with human iPSC-derived BMECs with the protocol described here. This modified protocol provides a detailed method for obtaining human BMECs from iPSCs, with the potential to expand and maintain them for longer use. The ability to passage and store differentiated BMECs can provide versatility and flexibility in experimental design, especially when studying multiple cell lines at once. Based on these results, iPSC-derived BMECs can be expanded and passaged after the initial sub-culturing step (Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9), but cryopreservation needs further investigation. This protocol can also be used in conjunction with other stem cell-based cellular models to develop innovative approaches such as vascularization of brain organoids. Current methods to generate brain organoids result in an incomplete reconstitution of cell types of the human brain since they lack endothelial cells and critical elements of the neurovascular unit that comprise the BBB52,53. The protocol described here can provide a tractable and reproducible approach using two-dimensional Transwell/co-culturing systems that is less expensive and easier to implement than 3D models.
Future Applications of This Protocol
This protocol can be utilized to study the role of the neurovasculature and BBB in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, where deficits in the neurovasculature have been hypothesized to play a role9,10,20,54,55. Previous versions of this protocol36 had been used to derive BMECs from iPSC lines of patients with Huntington disease7 and 22q deletion syndrome patients with schizophrenia43. Both studies7,43 demonstrated successful utilization of this method to investigate paracellular and/or transcellular function related to the BBB. Some concerns have been raised about the potential confounding effects of animal serum in prior protocols1. The serum-free protocol used here removes this concern while producing similar results to prior protocols for deriving BMECs.
Critical Steps for Differentiating and Expanding BMECs
There are four critical steps when implementing this protocol. First, seeding iPSCs at an optimal density (i.e., seeding at ~15,600 cells/cm2) is important for efficient BMEC differentiation. If the cell density is too high or too low by day 4 of differentiation, cultures may display greater rates of cellular heterogeneity56. A second important step is the induction of differentiation between day 1 and day 4, where E6 medium is used to initiate differentiation. E6 is utilized in place of the “unconditioned medium” which was used in prior protocols6,35. Not only does E6 medium cut down the differentiation time from 13 days to 8 days, but it also promotes the expression of tight junction proteins (TJP1, OCLN, CLDN5) and BMEC markers (PECAM1 and SLC2A1)36. The use of E6 medium also resulted in proper TEER values (Figure 5) and ABCB1 and ABCC1 efflux transporter activity (Figure 6)6,35. Thirdly, the use of B27 in lieu of bovine serum allowed for serum-free condition, which improved the consistency and reliability of BMEC differentiation1. Lastly, in terms of expanding the iPSC-derived BMECs, cells should be passaged when they reach ~100% confluency. Based on this protocol, iPSC-derived BMECs can be further expanded and passaged after the initial sub-culturing stage (Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9).
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by a National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) Award R01MH113858 (to R.K.), a National Institutes of Health Award KL2 TR002542 (PL). a National Institute of Mental Health Clinical Scientist Development Award K08MH086846 (to R.K.), a Sydney R Baer Jr Foundation Grant (to P.L.) the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Clinical Scientist Development Award (to R.K.), the Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation (to R.K.), the Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation (to R.K.), the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (to R.K.) and by Steve Willis and Elissa Freud (to R.K.). We thank Dr. Annie Kathuria for her critical reading and feedback on the manuscript.
2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate | Sigma Aldrich | D6883-50MG | |
Accutase | Sigma Aldrich | A6964-100mL | |
Alexa Fluor 488 Donkey anti-Mouse IgG | Life Technologies | A-21202 | |
Alexa Fluor 555 Donkey anti-Rabbit IgG | Life Technologies | A-31572 | |
B27 Supplement | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 17504044 | |
CD31 (PECAM-1) (89C2) Mouse mAb | Cell Signaling | 3528S | |
CLDN5 (Claudin-5) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 35-2500 | |
Collagen IV from human placenta | Sigma Aldrich | C5533-5mg | |
Corning 2 mL Internal Threaded Polypropylene Cryogenic Vial | Corning | 8670 | |
Corning Costar Flat Bottom Cell Culture Plates (6-wells) | Corning | 353046 | |
Corning Falcon Flat Bottom Cell Culture Plates (24-wells) | Corning | 353047 | |
Corning Transwell Multiple Well Plate with Permeable Polyester Membrane Inserts (12-wells) | Corning | 3460 | |
Countess slides | Thermo Fisher Scientific | C10228 | |
DMEM/F12 (without phenol red) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | A1413202 | |
DMSO | Sigma Aldrich | D2438-50mL | |
Donkey serum | Sigma Aldrich | D9663-10ML | |
DPBS (+/+) | Gibco/Thermo Fisher Scientific | 14040-117 | |
Epithelial Volt/Ohm (TEER) Meter (EVOM2) STX2 | World Precision Instruments | N/A | |
Essential 6 Medium (Thermo Fisher) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | A1516401 | |
Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) | Sigma Aldrich | F2442 | |
Fibronectin | Sigma Aldrich | F2006-2mg | |
Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix | Thermo Fisher Scientific | A1413202 | |
Hanks' Balance Salt Solution with calcium and magnesium | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 24020-117 | |
Hoechst 33342, Trihydrochloride, Trihydrate | Thermo Fisher Scientific | H3570 | |
Human endothelial serum-free medium | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 11111044 | |
InCell Analyzer 6000 | General Electric | N/A | |
Invitrogen Countess Automated Cell Counter | Thermo Fisher Scientific | N/A | |
MK-571 | Sigma Aldrich | M7571-5MG | |
NutriStem | Stemgent | 01-0005 | |
Occludin | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 33-1500 | |
Paraformaldehyde 16% | Electron Microscopy Services | 15710 | |
Perkin Elmer Envision 2103 multi-plate Reader | Perkin Elmer | N/A | |
Recombinant Human VEGF 165 | Peprotech | 100-20 | |
Recombinant Human FGF-basic (154 a.a.) | Peprotech | 100-18B | |
Retinoic acid | Sigma Aldrich | R2625-100MG | |
Rhodamine 123 | Sigma Aldrich | 83702-10MG | |
SLC2A1 (GLUT-1) | ThermoFisher | PA1-21041 | |
SOX17 | Cell Signaling | 81778S | |
TJP-1 (ZO-1) | ThermoFisher | PA5-28869 | |
Triton X-100 | Sigma Aldrich | T8787-50ML | |
Trypan Blue Stain (0.4%) for use with the Countess Automated Cell Counter | Thermo Fisher Scientific | T10282 | |
Valspodar (Sigma) (cyclosporin A) | Sigma Aldrich | SML0572-5MG | |
Versene solution | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 15040066 | |
Y-27632 dihydrochloride (ROCK inhibitor) | Tocris/Thermo Fisher Scientific | 1254 |