Derivation of neural crest cells from human pluripotent stem cells

• DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2010.35
• Publication Date: 2010-03-18T19:03:53Z
• Authors: Gabsang Lee; Stuart M Chambers; Mark J Tomishima; Lorenz Studer
• Keywords: Regenerative Medicine; Neurosphere; Directed differentiation

Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural crest (NC) cells present a valuable tool for modeling aspects of human NC development, including cell fate specification, multipotency and cell migration. hPSC-derived NC cells are also suitable for modeling human disease and as a renewable cell source for applications in regenerative medicine. Here we provide protocols for the step-wise differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into neuroectodermal and NC cells using either the MS5 coculture system or a novel defined culture method based on pharmacological inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathways. Furthermore, we present protocols for the purification and propagation of hPSC-NC cells using flow cytometry and defined in vitro culture conditions. Our protocol has been validated in multiple independent hESC and hiPSC lines. The average time required for generating purified hPSC-NC precursors using this protocol is 2-5 weeks.