Protocol for generating human cortical organoids enriched in outer radial glia by guided differentiation

STAR Protoc. 2024 Sep 20;5(3):103280. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103280. Epub 2024 Aug 29.

Abstract

The generation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived brain organoids is continuously refined, enhancing their reproducibility and complexity. Here, we present a guided differentiation protocol for generating cortical forebrain organoids and cortico-pericyte (CP)assembloids composed of a robust outer radial glia (oRG) population and an expanded outer subventricular zone (oSVZ). We describe the steps to generate hPSC-derived cortical organoids (COs), cortical pericytes, and CP assembloids. Moreover, we outline the procedures to characterize the organoids by immunostaining and to perform single-cell dissociation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Walsh et al.1.

Keywords: Cell Biology; Cell Differentiation; Cell culture; Cell isolation; Developmental biology; Flow Cytometry; Neuroscience; Organoids; Stem Cells.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Differentiation* / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Ependymoglial Cells* / cytology
  • Ependymoglial Cells* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Organoids* / cytology
  • Organoids* / metabolism
  • Pericytes / cytology
  • Pericytes / metabolism
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells* / metabolism