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 ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Cortical Astrocytes

Astrocytes  are an abundant cell type in the mammalian brain, yet much remains to be  learned about their molecular and functional characteristics. In ...

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 ...

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 ...