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STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit

Differentiation kit for the generation of neuronal precursors from human ES and iPS cell-derived neural progenitor cells

Need a high-quality cell source? Choose from our hiPSC healthy control lines, manufactured with mTeSR™ Plus.

STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit

Differentiation kit for the generation of neuronal precursors from human ES and iPS cell-derived neural progenitor cells

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Differentiation kit for the generation of neuronal precursors from human ES and iPS cell-derived neural progenitor cells
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Product Advantages




  • Supports highly efficient generation of functional neurons from hPSC-derived neuronal precursors

  • Produces a highly pure population (≥ 90% neurons) of mixed excitatory and inhibitory neurons that can be maintained long-term in culture

  • Optimized for differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells generated using STEMdiff™ SMADi Neural Induction Kit

  • Supports neuronal activity for physiologically relevant results

  • Enables reproducible maturation of neuronal precursors derived from multiple human ES and iPS cell lines

What's Included

  • STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Basal Medium, 80 mL
  • STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Supplement, 20 mL
Products for Your Protocol
To see all required products for your protocol, please consult the Protocols and Documentation.

Overview

The STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit is used in conjunction with the STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Kit (Catalog #08605) to generate a mixed population of forebrain-type (FOXG1-positive) neurons from neural progenitor cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. This kit is optimized to work with STEMdiff™ SMADi Neural Induction Kit, which supplies the appropriate neural progenitor cells. Neurons derived using these products are versatile tools for modeling human neurological development and disease, drug screening, toxicity testing, and cell therapy validation.
Subtype
Specialized Media
Cell Type
Neural Cells, PSC-Derived, Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells
Species
Human
Application
Cell Culture, Differentiation
Brand
STEMdiff
Area of Interest
Disease Modeling, Drug Discovery and Toxicity Testing, Neuroscience
Formulation Category
Serum-Free

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Safety Statement

CA WARNING: This product can expose you to Progesterone which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to

Data Figures

Figure 1. Schematic for the Embryoid Body Protocol

Forebrain-type neural precursors can be generated in 18 - 19 days from hPSC-derived NPCs after selecting neural rosettes from replated embryoid bodies. For the maturation of precursors to forebrain-type neurons, see the PIS. hPSC = human pluripotent stem cell; NPCs = neural progenitor cells; PIS = product information sheet

Figure 2. Schematic for the Monolayer Protocol

Forebrain-type neural precursors can be generated from NPC monolayers derived from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells after three single-cell passages. For the maturation of precursors to forebrain-type neurons, see the PIS. NPC = neural progenitor cell; PIS = product information sheet

Figure 3. Forebrain-Type Neurons Are Generated After Culture in STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation and Maturation Kits

NPCs generated from hPSCs in mTeSR 1™ using the STEMdiff™ SMADi Neural Induction Kit EB protocol were differentiated and matured to forebrain-type neurons using the STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation and Maturation Kits. (A) Forebrain-type neurons were formed after iPS cell-derived NPCs were cultured with the STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit for 7 days and STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Kit for 14 days. The resulting cultures contain a highly pure population of (B) class III β-tubulin-positive neurons (green), with (C) fewer than 10% astrocytes (GFAP-positive cells, red). (D) Nuclei are labeled with DAPI (blue). NPCs = neural progenitor cells; hPSC = human pluripotent stem cell; EB = embryoid body; iPS = induced pluripotent stem

Figure 4. Downstream Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells to Neurons Is Possible Using the STEMdiff™ Differentiation and Maturation Kits

(A) NPCs generated from STiPS-R038 hPSCs in mTeSR™1 using the STEMdiff™ SMADi Neural Induction Kit EB protocol were differentiated and matured to cortical neurons using STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit for 7 days and STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Kit for 14 days. The resulting cultures contain a highly pure population of (B) class III β-tubulin-positive neurons (green) with less than 10% GFAP-positive astrocytes (not shown). (C) The generated neurons are also positive for FOXG1 expression (red), indicating a forebrain-type identity. (D) Nuclei are labeled with Hoechst (blue). NPCs = neural progenitor cells; hPSC = human pluripotent stem cell

Figure 5. A Mixed Population of Forebrain-Type Cortical Neurons Is Generated Using the STEMdiff™ Differentiation and Maturation Kits

Forebrain-type neurons generated from iPSC-derived NPCs (line AIW002-02) were cultured using the STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation Kit for 7 days and subsequently matured for the following 6 weeks using STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Kit. The resulting cultures contain a mixed population of neurons expressing VGLUT1, a glutamatergic marker of excitatory neurons (green), as well as MAP2-positive neurons, indicating mature neurons (magenta). Nuclei are labeled with Hoechst (blue). Data courtesy of Cecilia Rocha, The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University. iPSC = induced pluripotent stem cell; NPCs = neural progenitor cells

Figure 6. PSC-Derived Astrocytes and Neurons Can Be Co-Cultured to Model Cell-Cell Interactions In Vitro

NPCs generated from the H1 cell line were differentiated to astrocytes using STEMdiff™ Astrocyte Differentiation and Maturation Kits. H9 cell-derived NPCs were differentiated to forebrain-type neurons using STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation and Maturation Kits. For co-culture, matured astrocytes were seeded onto forebrain neurons that had been in STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Medium for at least one week. Co-cultures were then switched to STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Maturation Medium the following day and for the remaining co-culture. (A) Neurons cultured alone, following the co-culture feeding schedule, are labeled with DCX (green). (B) DCX-positive neurons (green) and astrocytes (GFAP, red) can be co-cultured for at least 1 - 2 weeks prior to analysis.For a detailed co-culture protocol, please see the Methods Library. NPCs = neural progenitor cells

Figure 7. PSC-Derived Neurons Survive and Mature when Co-Cultured with PSC-Derived Astrocytes

NPCs generated from the STiPS-R038 cell line were differentiated to astrocytes using STEMdiff™ Astrocyte Differentiation and Maturation Kits. STiPS-M001 cell-derived NPCs were differentiated to forebrain-type neurons using STEMdiff™ Forebrain Neuron Differentiation and Maturation Kits. After co-culture for one week, neurons (A) had significantly increased neurite outgrowth as measured on MAP2-positive neurons with the NeuriteTracer plugin for ImageJ (M Pool et al. J Neurosci Methods, 2008) and (B) were more numerous than neurons cultured alone using the same feeding schedule. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01. NPCs = neural progenitor cells

Protocols and Documentation

Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.

Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
Lot #
Language
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
08600
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
08600
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
08600
Lot #
All
Language
English

Applications

This product is designed for use in the following research area(s) as part of the highlighted workflow stage(s). Explore these workflows to learn more about the other products we offer to support each research area.

Resources and Publications

Educational Materials (20)

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On-Demand Training

Publications (7)

Endolysosomal processing of neuron-derived signaling lipids regulates autophagy and lipid droplet degradation in astrocytes J. N. Bhupana et al. Nature Communications 2025 May

Abstract

Dynamic regulation of metabolic activities in astrocytes is critical to meeting the demands of other brain cells. During neuronal stress, lipids are transferred from neurons to astrocytes, where they are stored in lipid droplets (LDs). However, it is not clear whether and how neuron-derived lipids trigger metabolic adaptation in astrocytes. Here, we uncover an endolysosomal function that mediates neuron-astrocyte transcellular lipid signaling. We identify Tweety homolog 1 (TTYH1) as an astrocyte-enriched endolysosomal protein that facilitates autophagic flux and LD degradation. Astrocyte-specific deletion of mouse Ttyh1 and loss of its Drosophila ortholog lead to brain accumulation of neutral lipids. Computational and experimental evidence suggests that TTYH1 mediates endolysosomal clearance of ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), a sphingolipid that dampens autophagic flux and LD breakdown in mouse and human astrocytes. Furthermore, neuronal C1P secretion induced by inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β causes TTYH1-dependent autophagic flux and LD adaptations in astrocytes. These findings reveal a neuron-initiated signaling paradigm that culminates in the regulation of catabolic activities in astrocytes. Subject terms: Organelles, Glial biology, Lipid signalling
Astrocyte-secreted cues promote neural maturation and augment activity in human forebrain organoids H. Zheng et al. Nature Communications 2025 Mar

Abstract

Brain organoids have been proposed as suitable human brain model candidates for a variety of applications. However, the lack of appropriate maturation limits the transferability of such functional tools. Here, we present a method to facilitate neuronal maturation by integrating astrocyte-secreted factors into hPSC-derived 2D and 3D neural culture systems. We demonstrate that protein- and nutrient-enriched astrocyte-conditioned medium (ACM) accelerates neuronal differentiation with enlarged neuronal layer and the overproduction of deep-layer cortical neurons. We captured the elevated changes in the functional activity of neuronal networks within ACM-treated organoids using comprehensive electrophysiological recordings. Furthermore, astrocyte-secreted cues can induce lipid droplet accumulation in neural cultures, offering protective effects in neural differentiation to withstand cellular stress. Together, these data indicate the potential of astrocyte secretions to promote neural maturation. Subject terms: Neurological models, Neuronal development
Monkeypox virus spreads from cell-to-cell and leads to neuronal death in human neural organoids Nature Communications 2025 Jun

Abstract

In 2022-23, the world witnessed the largest recorded outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Neurological manifestations were reported alongside the detection of MPXV DNA and MPXV-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients. Here, we analyze the susceptibility of neural tissue to MPXV using human neural organoids (hNOs) exposed to a clade IIb isolate. We report susceptibility of several cell types to the virus, including neural progenitor cells and neurons. The virus efficiently replicates in hNOs, as indicated by the exponential increase of infectious viral titers and establishment of viral factories. Our findings reveal focal enrichment of viral antigen alongside accumulation of cell-associated infectious virus, suggesting viral cell-to-cell spread. Using an mNeonGreen-expressing recombinant MPXV, we confirm cell-associated virus transmission. We furthermore show the formation of beads in infected neurites, a phenomenon associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Bead appearance precedes neurite-initiated cell death, as confirmed through live-cell imaging. Accordingly, hNO-transcriptome analysis reveals alterations in cellular homeostasis and upregulation of neurodegeneration-associated transcripts, despite scarcity of inflammatory and antiviral responses. Notably, tecovirimat treatment of MPXV-infected hNOs significantly reduces infectious virus loads. Our findings suggest that viral disruption of neuritic transport drives neuronal degeneration, potentially contributing to MPXV neuropathology and revealing targets for therapeutic intervention. The mechanisms underlying neurological complications of monkeypox virus infection remain unclear. Here, the authors investigate its neurotropic potential and show that neuritic transport of viral particles drives neuronal degeneration.
Need a high-quality cell source? Choose from our hiPSC healthy control lines, manufactured with mTeSR™ Plus.