Name: differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cortical interneuron precursors
Uploaded: 2017-12-03T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors at JoVE.com

We are grateful to Qing Xu for developing the Nkx2.1::mCherry:Lhx6:GFP dual reporter mESC line as well as Jennifer Tyson, Asif Maroof, and Tim Petros for their early work on helping to develop this protocol. We also thank the CHOP flow cytometry core for technical assistance. This work was supported by an NIH R01 MH066912 (SA) and F30 MH105045-02 (DT).

NOTE: The dual reporter mESC line described in this protocol is available upon request (sande@mail.med.upenn.edu).
1. Media Preparation
NOTE: Warm all media to 37 &#176;C before use in cell culture.
<ol>
	<li>Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast (MEF) media (for preparing 500 mL)
	<ol>
		<li>Add 50 mL fetal bovine serum (FBS) to 449 mL of Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle&#39;s Medium (DMEM), and filter through a 500 mL 0.22 &#181;m pore filter unit.</li>
		<li...

<ol>
	<li>Jones, E. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+origins+of+cortical+interneurons:+mouse+versus+monkey+and+human.">The origins of cortical interneurons: mouse versus monkey and human.</a> Cereb Cortex. 19, 1953-1956 (2009).</li><li>Wonders, C. P., Anderson, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+origin+and+specification+of+cortical+interneurons.">The origin and specification of cortical interneurons.</a> Nature reviews. Neuroscience. 7 (6), 687-696 (2006).</li><li>Ascoli, G. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Petilla+terminology:+nomenclature+of+features+of+GABAergic+interneurons+of+the+cerebral+cortex.">Petilla terminology: nomenclature of features of GABAergic interneurons of the cerebral cortex.</a> Nature reviews. Neuroscience. 9, 557-568 (2008).</li><li>DeFelipe, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+insights+into+the+classification+and+nomenclature+of+cortical+GABAergic+interneurons.">New insights into the classification and nomenclature of cortical GABAergic interneurons.</a> Nature reviews. Neuroscience. 14, 202-216 (2013).</li><li>Xu, X., Roby, K. D., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunochemical+characterization+of+inhibitory+mouse+cortical+neurons:+three+chemically+distinct+classes+of+inhibitory+cells.">Immunochemical characterization of inhibitory mouse cortical neurons: three chemically distinct classes of inhibitory cells.</a> J Comp Neurol. 518, 389-404 (2010).</li><li>Inan, M., Petros, T. J., Anderson, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Losing+your+inhibition:+Linking+cortical+GABAergic+interneurons+to+schizophrenia.">Losing your inhibition: Linking cortical GABAergic interneurons to schizophrenia.</a> Neurobiol Dis. 53, 36-48 (2013).</li><li>Benes, F. 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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Duration+of+culture+and+sonic+hedgehog+signaling+differentially+specify+PV+versus+SST+cortical+interneuron+fates+from+embryonic+stem+cells.">Duration of culture and sonic hedgehog signaling differentially specify PV versus SST cortical interneuron fates from embryonic stem cells.</a> Development. 142, 1267-1278 (2015).</li><li>Maroof, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Directed+differentiation+and+functional+maturation+of+cortical+interneurons+from+human+embryonic+stem+cells.">Directed differentiation and functional maturation of cortical interneurons from human embryonic stem cells.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 12, 559-572 (2013).</li><li>Tischfield, D. J., Kim, J., Anderson, S. 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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NKX2.1+specifies+cortical+interneuron+fate+by+activating+Lhx6.">NKX2.1 specifies cortical interneuron fate by activating Lhx6.</a> Development. 135, 1559-1567 (2008).</li><li>Marin, O., Anderson, S. A., Rubenstein, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Origin+and+molecular+specification+of+striatal+interneurons.">Origin and molecular specification of striatal interneurons.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 20, 6063-6076 (2000).</li><li>Xu, Q., Wonders, C. P., Anderson, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sonic+hedgehog+maintains+the+identity+of+cortical+interneuron+progenitors+in+the+ventral+telencephalon.">Sonic hedgehog maintains the identity of cortical interneuron progenitors in the ventral telencephalon.</a> Development. 132, 4987-4998 (2005).</li><li>Glickstein, S. B., Alexander, S., Ross, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differences+in+cyclin+D2+and+D1+protein+expression+distinguish+forebrain+progenitor+subsets.">Differences in cyclin D2 and D1 protein expression distinguish forebrain progenitor subsets.</a> Cereb Cortex. 17, 632-642 (2007).</li><li>Petros, T. J., Bultje, R. S., Ross, M. E., Fishell, G., Anderson, S. 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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+and+temporal+bias+in+the+mitotic+origins+of+somatostatin-+and+parvalbumin-expressing+interneuron+subgroups+and+the+chandelier+subtype+in+the+medial+ganglionic+eminence.">Spatial and temporal bias in the mitotic origins of somatostatin- and parvalbumin-expressing interneuron subgroups and the chandelier subtype in the medial ganglionic eminence.</a> Cereb Cortex. 22, 820-827 (2012).</li><li>Flames, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Delineation+of+multiple+subpallial+progenitor+domains+by+the+combinatorial+expression+of+transcriptional+codes.">Delineation of multiple subpallial progenitor domains by the combinatorial expression of transcriptional codes.</a> The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 27, 9682-9695 (2007).</li><li>Fogarty, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+genetic+patterning+of+the+embryonic+neuroepithelium+generates+GABAergic+interneuron+diversity+in+the+adult+cortex.">Spatial genetic patterning of the embryonic neuroepithelium generates GABAergic interneuron diversity in the adult cortex.</a> The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 27, 10935-10946 (2007).</li><li>Eiraku, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Self-organized+formation+of+polarized+cortical+tissues+from+ESCs+and+its+active+manipulation+by+extrinsic+signals.">Self-organized formation of polarized cortical tissues from ESCs and its active manipulation by extrinsic signals.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 3, 519-532 (2008).</li><li>Colasante, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+Conversion+of+Fibroblasts+into+Functional+Forebrain+GABAergic+Interneurons+by+Direct+Genetic+Reprogramming.">Rapid Conversion of Fibroblasts into Functional Forebrain GABAergic Interneurons by Direct Genetic Reprogramming.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 17, 719-734 (2015).</li><li>Xu, Q., Cobos, I., De La Cruz, E., Rubenstein, J. 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While this method is highly effective at patterning J1-derived mESCs (SCRC-1010), we have experienced variable success with other mESC lines and clonal isolates. For instance, Foxg1::venus mESCs (EB3-derived; Danjo et al.13) respond poorly to this protocol and Foxg1 induction by DD12 is typically on the order of 1-2%. For reasons that we do not fully understand, another Nkx2.1::mCherry:Lhx6::GFP dual reporter clone (termed JQ59) that was isolated simultaneously as the line described in th...

In both mice and humans, roughly half of all cortical inhibitory interneurons (CIns) originate within a transient subcortical structure known as the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE), where the neuroepithelial progenitors of CIns and other neuronal and glial subgroups express the transcription factor Nkx2.11,2. CIn subgroups or subtypes are defined by intersecting morphological, neurochemical, electrophysiological, and connectivity characteristics3,4. The MGE-derived CIns can be grouped into mostly non-overlapping subgroups based on their expression of either PV or SST, the expression of which correlates with particular electrophysiological and connectivity tendencies5. Dysfunction of interneurons, especially those in the PV subgroup, has been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases6,7. The overall goal of this method is to produce stem cell-derived mitotic progenitors and migratory precursors enriched for either PV or SST CIn fate for studying cortical interneuron biology and for use in cell-based therapies.
We have developed a scalable, highly efficient method for the derivation of Nkx2.1-expressing interneuron progenitors and their progeny from mESCs. Using a Nkx2.1::mCherry:Lhx6::GFP dual reporter mESC line8, Nkx2.1 progenitors or their Lhx6-expressing post-mitotic progeny can be isolated via FACS and subsequently used in a number of downstream applications. By manipulating a number of signaling pathways, duration of culture, and mode of neurogenesis, we can obtain millions of fluorescently labeled interneuron precursors suitable for a host of downstream applications.
Although several other methods exist for generating MGE-like progenitors from mESCs9,10,11,12,13,14, our method, which relies on the Wnt antagonist XAV-939, is particularly efficient at generating Foxg1/Nkx2.1 co-expressing telencephalic progenitors. In addition, the ability to select for interneuron progenitors or their post-mitotic Lhx6-expressing progeny via our dual reporter system, greatly enhances the capacity to generate distinct progenitors and their progeny.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Bottle-top vacuum filter system</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>CLS430769</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Test Tube with Cell Strainer Snap Cap</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>Corning 352235</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (CF-1 MEF IRR 7M)</td>
			<td>MTI-Globalstem</td>
			<td>GSC-6101G</td>
			<td>1 vial of 7M MEFs is sufficient for four 10-cm TC plates. References: 29,35</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Atlanta Biologicals</td>
			<td>S11150H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primocin</td>
			<td>Invivogen</td>
			<td>Ant-pm-2</td>
			<td>Also known as antimicrobial agent. Do not filter with base media -- add after filtration. References: 9,11,36,37</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N2 supplement-B</td>
			<td>Stemcell Technologies</td>
			<td>7156</td>
			<td>Do not filter with base media -- add after filtration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutamax (100x)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>35050061</td>
			<td>Also known as L-alanine-L-glutamine. References: 9,11,38,39</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KnockOut Serum Replacement (KSR)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>10828028</td>
			<td>Also known as serum-free medium supplement. References: 9,11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-glutamine (100x)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>25030081</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MEM-NEAA (100x)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>11140050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-Mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>21985023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KnockOut DMEM</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>10829018</td>
			<td>Also known as non-glutamine containing DMEM. References: 9,11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hyclone FBS</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82013-578</td>
			<td>Also known as stem cell grade FBS. References: 9,11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture treated dish (10cm)</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>353003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-adherent sterile petri dish (10cm)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25384-342</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leukemia inhibitory factor (mLIF)</td>
			<td>Chemicon</td>
			<td>ESG1107</td>
			<td>Do not freeze, store at 4&#39;C. References: 9,11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F12</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>11330032</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.1% Gelatin Solution</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>ATCC PCS-999-027</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>L2020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-lysine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6282</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA (0.05%)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>25300054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Accutase</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>A1110501</td>
			<td>Also known as non-trypsin containing cell dissociation reagent. References: 9,11</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RQ1 RNase-Free DNase</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>M610A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LDN-193189</td>
			<td>Stemgent</td>
			<td>04-0074</td>
			<td>Resuspend in DMSO and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>XAV939</td>
			<td>Stemgent</td>
			<td>04-0046</td>
			<td>Resuspend in DMSO and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rhFGF-2</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>233-FB</td>
			<td>Resuspend in PBS with 0.1% BSA and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rhIGF-2</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>291-G1</td>
			<td>Resuspend in PBS with 0.1% BSA and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632)</td>
			<td>Tocris</td>
			<td>1254</td>
			<td>Resuspend in DMSO and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Smoothened agonist (SAG)</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>566660-1MG</td>
			<td>Resuspend in H20 and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rm Sonic Hedgehog/SHH</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>464-SH-025</td>
			<td>Resuspend in PBS with 0.1% BSA and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PKC&#950; Pseudosubstrate Inhibitor, Myristoylated</td>
			<td>EMD Millipore</td>
			<td>539624</td>
			<td>Resuspend in H20 and store at -80&#39;C in single use aliquots</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into cortical interneuron precursors

GABAergic cortical interneurons are a heterogeneous population of cells that play critical roles in regulating the output of excitatory pyramidal neurons as well as synchronizing the outputs of pyramidal neuron ensembles. Deficits in interneuron function have been implicated in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. The derivation of cortical interneurons from embryonic stem cells not only allows for the study of their development and function, but provides insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of cortical interneuron-related disorders. Interneurons also have the remarkable capacity to survive, migrate, and integrate into host cortical circuitry post-transplantation, making them ideal candidates for use in cell-based therapies. Here, we present a scalable, highly efficient, modified embryoid body-to-monolayer method for the derivation of Nkx2.1-expressing interneuron progenitors and their progeny from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Using a Nkx2.1::mCherry:Lhx6::GFP dual reporter mESC line, Nkx2.1 progenitors or their Lhx6-expressing post-mitotic progeny can be isolated via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and subsequently used in a number of downstream applications. We also provide methods to enrich for parvalbumin (PV) or somatostatin (SST) interneuron subgroups, which may be helpful for studying aspects of fate determination or for use in therapeutic applications that would benefit from interneuron subgroup-enriched transplantations.

The protocol described in this paper is a modified version of our published protocols15,16,17 and has been optimized for use with our Nkx2.1::mCherry:Lhx6::GFP dual-reporter mESC line. By adding the Wnt inhibitor XAV-939 from DD0-5, combined with re-plating at DD8, we achieve robust Nkx2.1 induction, wherein upwards of 50% of all DAPI+ nuclei in culture are also Nkx2.1 expressing (<strong class="...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors at JoVE.com

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors

This protocol describes a method for generating cortical interneuron progenitors and post-mitotic interneuron precursors from mouse embryonic stem cells using a modified embryoid body-to-monolayer method. These progenitors/precursors can be used in vitro or fluorescently sorted and transplanted into neonatal neocortex for studying fate determination, or used in therapeutic applications.

GABAergic cortical interneurons are a heterogeneous population of cells that play critical roles in regulating the output of excitatory pyramidal neurons ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to generate cortical interneuron progenitors in post-mitotic interneuron precursors for mouse embryonic stem cells using a modified embryoid body to monolayer method. This method can help answer key questions in the neuroscience field, such as how sub-types of cortical interneurons achieve their individual fates during development. The main advantage of this technique is that it enables efficient generation of Nkx2.1 expressing interneuron progenitors, as well as methods to enrich for parvalbumin or somatostatin interneuron subgroups.To begin this procedure, plate mitotically inactive MEF feeder cells in MEF media onto tissue culture treated plates. Allow at least 12 hours for them to settle in a cell culture incubator at 37 degrees Celsius before plating the mESCs. If not used immediately, replace the MEF media every three days.Next, add mESCs containing mouse leukemia inhibitory factor to the MEF plates. Incubate the cells at 37 degrees Celsius in 5%carbon dioxide. Passage mESCs using trypsin-EDTA once the dish becomes 70 to 80%confluent, and maintain the mESCs on a MEF feeder layer in mESC media to keep pluripotency.Before starting differentiation, passage the cells at least once onto gelatin-coated plates without MEFs to dilute them out. To do so, prepare gelatin-coated plates by adding 0.1%gelatin and PBS with calcium and magnesium to a tissue culture treated dish and incubate at 37 degrees Celsius for at least 1 hour. Plate 1.5 to two times 10 to the sixth cells on each ten centimeter plate and allow them to expand for two days before beginning differentiation.On DD0, after the mESCs have grown on the gelatin coated plates for two days, aspirate the media and wash the cells once with PBS without calcium and magnesium. Then, add enough trypsin-EDTA to cover the surface of the plates. And place the cells back into the incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for four minutes.After four minutes, quench trypsin-EDTA using two times its volume of mESC media. Transfer the cells to an appropriately sized centrifuge tube, and centrifuge the cells at 200 times g for five minutes. Next, remove the tube and aspirate the media without disturbing the pellet.Resuspend the pellet in one millileter of KSR-N2 media. Subsequently, measure the cell concentration using a hemocytometer, or an automated cell counter. Start growing the cells as embryoid bodies by adding 75, 000 cells per millileter in KSR-N2 media in the non-adherent tissue culture dishes.And incubate them at 37 degrees Celsius. On DD1, prepare for cell landing by coating the tissue culture treated dishes with poly-L-lysine for at least one hour or overnight at 37 degrees Celsius. On DD2, aspirate the poly-L-lysine and coat the plates with laminin overnight at 37 degrees Celsius.On DD3, before beginning EB dissociation, aspirate laminin and allow the plates to completely dry in a tissue culture hood. Afterward, transfer the EB's with the media into a 15 milliliter tube, and centrifuge for three to four minutes at 15 times g or until the EB's have pelleted. Aspirate the media, and add three milliliters of cell detachment solution containing DNase.Then, incubate the sample at 37 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Gently flick the tube every three minutes to aid in EB dissociation. Once the EB's are no longer visible, or 15 minutes have elapsed, add six milliliters of KSR-N2 containing DNase, and centrifuge for five minutes at 200 times g.Then, plate the cells in KSR-N2 containing LDN193189, XAV939, and the ROCK inhibitor, Y27632, at 4.5 to five times ten to the fourth cells per centimeter squared. On DD5, change media with KSR-N2 containing FGF2, IGF1, and SSH. Next, prepare tissue culture plates for replating on day 8, using the instructions outlined in the procedures on DD1 and DD2.On DD7, change the media with KSR-N2 containing FGF2, IGF1 and SHH. On DD8, replate the cells by detaching them from the plates with trypsin-EDTA for five minutes at 37 degrees Celsius. Quench trypsin-EDTA using two times its volume with KSR-N2.And centrifuge at 200 times g for five minutes. Filter the cells through a 40 micron filter tube to remove any clumps. Then, replate the cells at 250, 000 cells per centimeter squared in N2-KSR containing FGF2, IGF1 and Y27632 with SHH.On DD10, change the media with KSR-N2 containing SHH. Wash the cells once with PBS without calcium and magnesium, and add pre-warmed, non-trypsin containing cell dissociation reagent, containing DNase to the cells. Place them in the incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 to 30 minutes, or until the cells have detached.Then, gently tap the plates every five minutes to aid the dissociation. On DD5, change the media with KSR-N2 containing FGF2 and IGF1. Next, prepare tissue culture plates for replating on DD8.On DD7, change the media with KSR-N2 containing FGF2 and IGF1. On DD8, replate the cells with smoothened agonist and add atypical PKC inhibitor. On DD10, change the media with KSR-N2 containing aPKCi.On DD11, detach the cells from the plates for FACS. If the cells were not detached for FACS on DD11, change media on DD12 with KSR-N2 containing aPKCi. On DD14, change the media with KSR-N2 containing aPKCi.And on DD16, change the media with KSR-N2 containing aPKCi. Then, on DD17, collect the Nkx-2.1:mCherry positive cells. Shown here are the representative images of immunostaining for Nkx2.1, Nkx2.1:mCherry, and Lhx6:GFP from a differentiation day 12 culture.Note that these images are overlapping channels from the same field of view. This graph shows the quantification of the average percentage of DAPI positive nuclei that express Nkx2.1 at DD12 in culture. And this is a representative FACS plot, demonstrating the four different cell populations that can be isolated using our dual reporter mESC line.Note that mCherry is on the x-axis, and GFP is on the y-axis. Thus, the top right box represents cells that are mCherry-GFP double positive. Here is the timecourse of Nkx2.1:mCherry and Lhx6:GFP induction from DD6 to 16, expressed as the percentage of cells in culture that are either mCherry only expressing, GFP only expressing or mCherry-GFP co-expressing.Once mastered, this protocol can be completed within 17 days from start to finish, if performed properly. While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to always start with pleuripotent, undifferentiated, healthy appearing stem cells. Following this procedure, other methods, like transplantation into neonatal or adult mouse neocortex can be performed in order answer additional questions regarding interneuron fate determination or the effect of interneuron transplantation on circuit function and animal behavior.After its development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the field of developmental neuroscience to explore factors driving interneuron fate determination in mice, and by extension, patients affected by interneuron related disorders. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to derive Nkx2.1 expressing progenitors, and their post-mitotic progeny from mouse embryonic stem cells. Thanks for watching, and good luck with your experiments.

differentiation-mouse-embryonic-stem-cells-into-cortical-interneuron

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection into the Mouse Forebrain In Utero at E9.5

In utero survival surgery in mice permits the molecular manipulation of gene expression during development. However, because the uterine wall is opaque during early embryogenesis, the ability to target specific parts of the embryo for microinjection is greatly limited. Fortunately, high-frequency ultrasound imaging permits the generation of images that can be used in real time to guide a microinjection needle into the embryonic region of interest. Here we describe the use of such imaging to guide the injection of retroviral vectors into the ventricular system of the mouse forebrain at embryonic day (E) 9.5. This method uses a laparotomy to permit access to the uterine horns, and a specially designed plate that permits host embryos to be bathed in saline while they are imaged and injected. Successful surgeries often result in most or all of the injected embryos surviving to any subsequent time point of interest (embryonically or postnatally). The principles described here can be used with slight modifications to perform injections into the amnionic fluid of E8.5 embryos (thereby permitting infection along the anterior posterior extent of the neural tube, which has not yet closed), or into the ventricular system of the brain at E10.5/11.5. Furthermore, at mid-neurogenic ages (~E13.5), ultrasound imaging can be used direct injection into specific brain regions for viral infection or cell transplantation. The use of ultrasound imaging to guide in utero injections in mice is a very powerful technique that permits the molecular and cellular manipulation of mouse embryos in ways that would otherwise be exceptionally difficult if not impossible.

Ultrasound-Guided Microinjection into the Mouse Forebrain In Utero at E9.5

In utero survival surgery in mice permits the molecular manipulation of gene expression during development. Here we describe the use of high-frequency ultrasound imaging to guide the injection of retroviral vectors into the mouse brain at embryonic day (E) 9.5.

In utero survival surgery in mice permits the molecular manipulation of gene expression during development.  However, because the uterine wall is opaque ...

Growth and Differentiation of Adult Hippocampal Arctic Ground Squirrel Neural Stem Cells

Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii, AGS) are unique in their ability to hibernate with a core body temperature near or below freezing 1. These animals also resist ischemic injury to the brain in vivo 2,3 and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro 4,5. These unique qualities provided the impetus to isolate AGS neurons to examine inherent neuronal characteristics that could account for the capacity of AGS neurons to resist injury and cell death caused by ischemia and extremely cold temperatures. Identifying proteins or gene targets that allow for the distinctive properties of these cells could aid in the discovery of effective therapies for a number of ischemic indications and for the study of cold tolerance. Adult AGS hippocampus contains neural stem cells that continue to proliferate, allowing for easy expansion of these stem cells in culture. We describe here methods by which researchers can utilize these stem cells and differentiated neurons for any number of purposes. By closely following these steps the AGS neural stem cells can be expanded through two passages or more and then differentiated to a culture high in TUJ1-positive neurons (~50%) without utilizing toxic chemicals to minimize the number of dividing cells. Ischemia induces neurogenesis 6 and neurogenesis which proceeds via MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt survival signaling pathways contributes to ischemia resistance in vivo7 and in vitro 8 (Kelleher-Anderson, Drew et al., in preparation). Further characterization of these unique neural cells can advance on many fronts, using some or all of these methods.

Neural stem cells were prepared from the hippocampus of adult non-hibernating yearling Arctic ground squirrels (AGS). These neural stem cells can be expanded through numerous passages, differentiated and maintained as a nearly 50:50 neuron to glial culture.

Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii, AGS) are unique in their ability to hibernate with a core body temperature near or below freezing 1. These ...

Nucleofection and Primary Culture of Embryonic Mouse Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

Hippocampal and cortical neurons have been used extensively to study central nervous system (CNS) neuronal polarization, axon/dendrite outgrowth, and synapse formation and function. An advantage of culturing these neurons is that they readily polarize, forming distinctive axons and dendrites, on a two dimensional substrate at very low densities. This property has made them extremely useful for determining many aspects of neuronal development. Furthermore, by providing glial conditioning for these neurons they will continue to develop, forming functional synaptic connections and surviving for several months in culture. In this protocol we outline a technique to dissect, culture and transfect embryonic mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. Transfection is accomplished by electroporating DNA into the neurons before plating via nucleofection. This protocol has the advantage of expressing fluorescently-tagged fusion proteins early in development (~4-8hrs after plating) to study the dynamics and function of proteins during polarization, axon outgrowth and branching. We have also discovered that this single transfection before plating maintains fluorescently-tagged fusion protein expression at levels appropriate for imaging throughout the lifetime of the neuron (&gt; 2 months in culture). Thus, this methodology is useful for studying protein localization and function throughout CNS development with little or no disruption of neuronal function.

This protocol outlines the steps required to dissect, transfect via electroporation and culture mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons. Short-term cultures may be used for studies of axon outgrowth and guidance, while long-term cultures can be used for studies of synaptogenesis and dendritic spine analysis.

Hippocampal and cortical neurons have been used extensively to study central nervous system (CNS) neuronal polarization, axon/dendrite outgrowth, and ...

Establishing Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cell Culture Using the Neurosphere Assay

In mammalians, stem cells acts as a source of undifferentiated cells to maintain cell genesis and renewal in different tissues and organs during the life span of the animal. They can potentially replace cells that are lost in the aging process or in the process of injury and disease. The existence of neural stem cells (NSCs) was first described by Reynolds and Weiss (1992) in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) using a novel serum&#8208;free culture system, the neurosphere assay (NSA). Using this assay, it is also feasible to isolate and expand NSCs from different regions of the embryonic CNS. These in vitro expanded NSCs are multipotent and can give rise to the three major cell types of the CNS. While the NSA seems relatively simple to perform, attention to the procedures demonstrated here is required in order to achieve reliable and consistent results. This video practically demonstrates NSA to generate and expand NSCs from embryonic day 14-mouse brain tissue and provides technical details so one can achieve reproducible neurosphere cultures. The procedure includes harvesting E14 mouse embryos, brain microdissection to harvest the ganglionic eminences, dissociation of the harvested tissue in NSC medium to gain a single cell suspension, and finally plating cells in NSA culture. After 5-7 days in culture, the resulting primary neurospheres are passaged to further expand the number of the NSCs for future experiments.

This video protocol demonstrates the application of the neurosphere assay for the isolation and expansion of neural stem cells from the ganglionic eminences of embryonic day 14-mouse brain.

In mammalians, stem cells acts as a source of undifferentiated cells to maintain cell genesis and renewal in different tissues and organs during the life ...

Generation of Neural Stem Cells from Discarded Human Fetal Cortical Tissue

Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside along the ventricular zone neuroepithelium during the development of the cortical plate. These early progenitors ultimately give rise to intermediate progenitors and later, the various neuronal and glial cell subtypes that form the cerebral cortex. The capacity to generate and expand human NSCs (so called neurospheres) from discarded normal fetal tissue provides a means with which to directly study the functional aspects of normal human NSC development 1-5. This approach can also be directed toward the generation of NSCs from known neurological disorders, thereby affording the opportunity to identify disease processes that alter progenitor proliferation, migration and differentiation 6-9. We have focused on identifying pathological mechanisms in human Down syndrome NSCs that might contribute to the accelerated Alzheimer's disease phenotype 10,11. Neither in vivo nor in vitro mouse models can replicate the identical repertoire of genes located on human chromosome 21. 
Here we use a simple and reliable method to isolate Down syndrome NSCs from aborted human fetal cortices and grow them in culture. The methodology provides specific aspects of harvesting the tissue, dissection with limited anatomical landmarks, cell sorting, plating and passaging of human NSCs. We also provide some basic protocols for inducing differentiation of human NSCs into more selective cell subtypes.

A simple and reliable method on isolation and culture of neural stem cells from discarded human fetal cortical tissue is described. Cultures derived from known human neurological disorders can be used for characterization of pathological cellular and molecular processes, as well as provide a platform to assess pharmacological efficacy.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside along the ventricular zone neuroepithelium during the development of the cortical plate. These early progenitors ...

Surgical Transplantation of Mouse Neural Stem Cells into the Spinal Cords of Mice Infected with Neurotropic Mouse Hepatitis Virus

Mice infected with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) develop pathological and clinical outcomes similar to patients with the demyelinating disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We have shown that transplantation of NSCs into the spinal cords of sick mice results in a significant improvement in both remyelination and in clinical outcome. Cell replacement therapies for the treatment of chronic neurologic diseases are now a reality and in vivo models are vital in understanding the interactions between the engrafted cells and host tissue microenvironment. This presentation provides an adapted method for transplanting cells into the spinal cord of JHMV-infected mice. In brief, we provide a procedure for i) preparation of NSCs prior to transplant, ii) pre-operative care of mice, iii) exposure of the spinal cord via laminectomy, iv) stereotactic injection of NSCs, and iv) post-operative care.

The transplantation of mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) into the spinal cords of mice with established demyelination is detailed. The preparation of NSCs, the laminectomy of thoracic vertebra 9 (T9), and transplantation of NSCs is outlined along with the pre- and post-operative care of the mice.

Mice infected with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) develop pathological and clinical outcomes similar to patients with the ...

Isolation and Culture of Neural Crest Cells from Embryonic Murine Neural Tube

The embryonic neural crest (NC) is a multipotent progenitor population that originates at the dorsal aspect of the neural tube, undergoes an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migrates throughout the embryo, giving rise to diverse cell types 1-3. NC also has the unique ability to influence the differentiation and maturation of target organs4-6. When explanted in vitro, NC progenitors undergo self-renewal, migrate and differentiate into a variety of tissue types including neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells, cartilage and bone. 
NC multipotency was first described from explants of the avian neural tube7-9. In vitro isolation of NC cells facilitates the study of NC dynamics including proliferation, migration, and multipotency. Further work in the avian and rat systems demonstrated that explanted NC cells retain their NC potential when transplanted back into the embryo10-13. Because these inherent cellular properties are preserved in explanted NC progenitors, the neural tube explant assay provides an attractive option for studying the NC in vitro. 
To attain a better understanding of the mammalian NC, many methods have been employed to isolate NC populations. NC-derived progenitors can be cultured from post-migratory locations in both the embryo and adult to study the dynamics of post-migratory NC progenitors11,14-20, however isolation of NC progenitors as they emigrate from the neural tube provides optimal preservation of NC cell potential and migratory properties13,21,22. Some protocols employ fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate a NC population enriched for particular progenitors11,13,14,17. However, when starting with early stage embryos, cell numbers adequate for analyses are difficult to obtain with FACS, complicating the isolation of early NC populations from individual embryos. Here, we describe an approach that does not rely on FACS and results in an approximately 96% pure NC population based on a Wnt1-Cre activated lineage reporter23. 
The method presented here is adapted from protocols optimized for the culture of rat NC11,13. The advantages of this protocol compared to previous methods are that 1) the cells are not grown on a feeder layer, 2) FACS is not required to obtain a relatively pure NC population, 3) premigratory NC cells are isolated and 4) results are easily quantified. Furthermore, this protocol can be used for isolation of NC from any mutant mouse model, facilitating the study of NC characteristics with different genetic manipulations. The limitation of this approach is that the NC is removed from the context of the embryo, which is known to influence the survival, migration and differentiation of the NC2,24-28.

Isolation of embryonic neural crest from the neural tube facilitates the use of in vitro methods for studying migration, self-renewal, and multipotency of neural crest.

The embryonic neural crest (NC) is a multipotent progenitor population that originates at the dorsal aspect of the neural tube, undergoes an epithelial to ...

Directed Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (also known as A9 DA neurons) are the specific cell type that is lost in Parkinson&#8217;s disease (PD). There is great interest in deriving A9 DA neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative cell replacement therapy for PD. During neural development, A9 DA neurons originate from the floor plate (FP) precursors located at the ventral midline of the central nervous system. Here, we optimized the culture conditions for the stepwise differentiation of hPSCs to A9 DA neurons, which mimics embryonic DA neuron development. In our protocol, we first describe the efficient generation of FP precursor cells from hPSCs using a small molecule method, and then convert the FP cells to A9 DA neurons, which could be maintained in vitro for several months. This efficient, repeatable and controllable protocol works well in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from normal persons and PD patients, in which one could derive A9 DA neurons to perform in vitro disease modeling and drug screening and in vivo cell transplantation therapy for PD.

We, based on knowledge from developmental biology and published research, developed an optimized protocol to efficiently generate A9 midbrain dopaminergic neurons from both human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, which would be useful for disease modeling and cell replacement therapy for Parkinson&#8217;s disease.

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta  (also known as A9 DA neurons) are the specific cell type that is lost in ...

Homochronic Transplantation of Interneuron Precursors into Early Postnatal Mouse Brains

Neuronal fate determination and maturation requires an intricate interplay between genetic programs and environmental signals. However, disentangling the roles of intrinsic vs. extrinsic mechanisms that regulate this differentiation process is a conundrum for all developmental neurobiologists. This issue is magnified for GABAergic interneurons, an incredibly heterogeneous cell population that is born from transient embryonic structures and undergo a protracted migratory phase to disperse throughout the telencephalon. To explore how different brain environments affect interneuron fate and maturation, we developed a protocol for harvesting fluorescently labeled immature interneuron precursors from specific brain regions in newborn mice (P0-P2). At this age, interneuron migration is nearly complete and these cells are residing in their final resting environments with relatively little synaptic integration. Following collection of single cell solutions via flow cytometry, these interneuron precursors are transplanted into P0-P2 wildtype postnatal pups. By performing both homotopic (e.g., cortex-to-cortex) or heterotopic (e.g., cortex-to-hippocampus) transplantations, one can assess how challenging immature interneurons in new brain environments affects their fate, maturation, and circuit integration. Brains can be harvested in adult mice and assayed with a wide variety of posthoc analysis on grafted cells, including immunohistochemical, electrophysiological and transcriptional profiling. This general approach provides investigators with a strategy to assay how distinct brain environments can influence numerous aspects of neuron development and identify if specific neuronal characteristics are primarily driven by hardwired genetic programs or environmental cues.

Challenging young neurons in new brain regions can reveal important insights into how the environment sculpts neuronal fate and maturation. This protocol describes a procedure to harvest interneuron precursors from specific brain regions and transplant them either homotopically or heterotopically into the brain of postnatal pups.

Neuronal fate determination and maturation requires an intricate interplay between genetic programs and environmental signals. However, disentangling the ...

Isolation and Culture of Embryonic Mouse Neural Stem Cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent and can give rise to the three major cell types of the central nervous system (CNS). In vitro culture and expansion of NSCs provide a suitable source of cells for neuroscientists to study the function of neurons and glial cells along with their interactions. There are several reported techniques for the isolation of neural stem cells from adult or embryo mammalian brains. During the microsurgical operation to isolate NSCs from different regions of the embryonic CNS, it is very important to reduce the damage to the brain cells to obtain the highest ratio of live and expandable stem cells. A possible technique for stress reduction during isolation of these cells from the mouse embryo brain is the reduction of surgical time. Here, we demonstrate a developed technique for rapid isolation of these cells from the E13 mouse embryo ganglionic eminence. Surgical procedures include harvesting E13 mouse embryos from the uterus, cutting the frontal fontanelle of the embryo with a bent needle tip, extracting the brain from the skull, microdissection of the isolated brain to harvest the ganglionic eminence, dissociation of the harvested tissue in NSC medium to gain a single cell suspension, and finally plating cells in suspension culture to generate neurospheres.

Here, we introduce a novel microsurgical technique for the isolation of neural stem cells from the E13 mouse embryo ganglionic eminence.