Comparison of 2D and 3D neural induction methods for the generation of neural progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells

Abinaya Chandrasekaran, Hasan Avci, Anna Ochalek, Lone Rosingh, Kinga Molnar, Lajos Laszlo, Tamas Bellak, Annamaria Teglasi, Krisztina Pesti, Arpad Mike, Phetcharat Phanthong, Orsolya Biro, Vanessa Jane Hall, Narisorn Kitiyanant, Karl-Heinz Krause, Julianna Kobolak, András Dinnyés

    33 Citations (Scopus)
    112 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are frequently induced using 3D culture methodologies however, it is unknown whether spheroid-based (3D) neural induction is actually superior to monolayer (2D) neural induction. Our aim was to compare the efficiency of 2D induction with 3D induction method in their ability to generate NPCs, and subsequently neurons and astrocytes. Neural differentiation was analysed at the protein level qualitatively by immunocytochemistry and quantitatively by flow cytometry for NPC (SOX1, PAX6, NESTIN), neuronal (MAP2, TUBB3), cortical layer (TBR1, CUX1) and glial markers (SOX9, GFAP, AQP4). Electron microscopy demonstrated that both methods resulted in morphologically similar neural rosettes. However, quantification of NPCs derived from 3D neural induction exhibited an increase in the number of PAX6/NESTIN double positive cells and the derived neurons exhibited longer neurites. In contrast, 2D neural induction resulted in more SOX1 positive cells. While 2D monolayer induction resulted in slightly less mature neurons, at an early stage of differentiation, the patch clamp analysis failed to reveal any significant differences between the electrophysiological properties between the two induction methods. In conclusion, 3D neural induction increases the yield of PAX6+/NESTIN+ cells and gives rise to neurons with longer neurites, which might be an advantage for the production of forebrain cortical neurons, highlighting the potential of 3D neural induction, independent of iPSCs' genetic background.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalStem Cell Research
    Volume25
    Pages (from-to)139-151
    ISSN1873-5061
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

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