A Neurite Outgrowth Assay and Neurotoxicity Assessment with Human Neural Progenitor Cell-Derived Neurons

Summary

The presented protocol describes a method for a neurite outgrowth assay and neurotoxicity assessment of small molecule compounds.

Abstract

Neurite outgrowth assay and neurotoxicity assessment are two major studies that can be performed using the presented method herein. This protocol provides reliable analysis of neuronal morphology together with quantitative measurements of modifications on neurite length and synaptic protein localization and abundance upon treatment with small molecule compounds. In addition to the application of the presented method in neurite outgrowth studies, neurotoxicity assessment can be performed to assess, distinguish and rank commercial chemical compounds based on their potential developmental neurotoxicity effect.

Even though cell lines are nowadays widely used in compound screening assays in neuroscience, they often differ genetically and phenotypically from their tissue origin. Primary cells, on the other hand, maintain important markers and functions observed in vivo. Therefore, due to the translation potential and physiological relevance that these cells could offer neurite outgrowth assay and neurotoxicity assessment can considerably benefit from using human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) as the primary human cell model.

The presented method herein can be utilized to screen for the ability of compounds to induce neurite outgrowth and neurotoxicity by taking advantage of the human neural progenitor cell-derived neurons, a cell model closely representing human biology."

Introduction

Neurite growth is a process fundamental to the formation of the neuronal network and nerve regeneration^1,2. Following an injury, neurite outgrowth plays a key role in regeneration of the nervous system. Neurite outgrowth is also an important element of the extracellular signaling in inducing neuronal regenerative activities to enhance the outcomes for neurodegenerative disorders and neuronal injury^3,4,5,6.

By maintaining their differentiation potential in ....

Protocol

Ethics Statement: Fetal specimens were received from the Birth Defects Research Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle through a tissue distribution program supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The Birth Defects Research Laboratory obtained appropriate written informed consent from the parents and the procurement of tissues was monitored by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Washington. All the work was performed with approval by the Human Subject Research Office at the Uni.......

Discussion

This protocol is one of the few published papers describing the test for neurite length upon treatment with test compounds. Furthermore, we describe how to use hNPCs for a neurite outgrowth assay and neurotoxicity assessment. By utilizing this neurite outgrowth assay and neurotoxicity assessment on hNPCs-derived neurons, the neurogenic potential of a category of epigenetic small-molecule compounds, HDAC inhibitors, in inducing neurite outgrowth is demonstrated²². Furthermore, in another paper pres.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
4-well Glass Chamber Slides	Sigma	PEZGS0816
Alexa Fluor 488	Invitrogen	A-11001
Alexa Fluor 594	Invitrogen	R37117
Antibiotic-Antimycotic	Gibco	15240062
Anti-β-Tubulin III	Thermo	MA1-118X
B27	Thermo	17504001
B27 - minus vitamin A	Thermo	12587010
BDNF	PeproTech	450-02
BSA	Sigma	A8531
CellTiter-Glo	Promega	G7572
CoolCell	Corning	432000	Cell freezing containers ensuring standardized controlled-rate -1℃/minute cell freezing in a -80℃ freezer
CryoStor CS10	StemCell Technologies	7930	Cryopreservation medium containing 10% DMSO
DAPI	Thermo	D1306
DMEM/F12	Gibco	11320033
DMSO	Sigma	34869-100ML
EGF	Gibco	PHG0311
FGF	Gibco	PHG6015
Formaldehyde	Thermo	FB002
GDNF	PeproTech	450-10
Glutamax	Gibco	35050061	L-alanyl-L-glutamine supplement
Goat Serum	Thermo	50062Z
Heparin	Calbiochem	375095
Laminin	Sigma	L2020-1MG
L-Ascorbic Acid	Sigma	A92902-25G
L-lysine	Sigma	L5501
MEM non-essential amino acids	Gibco	11140050
mFreSR	StemCell Technologies	5854	Serum-free cryopreservation medium designed for the cryopreservation of human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells
N2	Gibco	17502048
NaCl	Sigma	71376
Neurobasal Medium	Gibco	21103049
Nunc 384-Well Polystyrene White Microplates	Thermo	164610
PBS	Thermo	10010-049
Poly‐L‐lysine	Sigma	P5899-5MG
ProLong Gold Antifade Mountant	Thermo	P10144
Retinoic Acid	Sigma	R2625
Sodium Azide	Sigma	S2002
StemPro Accutase	Gibco	A1110501	Cell dissociation reagent containing proteolytic and collagenolytic enzymes
Synaptophysin	Thermo	MA5-14532
Tris Base	Sigma	10708976001
Triton X-100	Sigma	X100-100ML