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STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Kit

For differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to monocytes

STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Kit

For differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to monocytes

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For differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to monocytes
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Product Advantages


  • Serum-free and feeder-free formulation

  • Simple monolayer protocol produces monocytes in suspension for easy harvest

  • Generation of CD14⺠monocytes in 14 - 23 days

  • Robust generation of monocytes across multiple hPSC cell lines

What's Included

  • STEMdiffâ„¢ Hematopoietic Basal Medium, 120 mL
  • STEMdiffâ„¢ Hematopoietic Supplement A (200X), 225 μL
  • STEMdiffâ„¢ Hematopoietic Supplement B (200X), 225 μL
  • STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Differentiation Supplement (100X), 3 x 1 mL (Catalog #05324)
  • StemSpanâ„¢ SFEM II, 3 x 100 mL

Overview

Differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to monocytes expressing CD14 with the feeder-free and serum-free STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Kit.

The simple protocol is performed in 2D adherent cultures. During the first 3 days, Medium A induces cells toward mesoderm. For the subsequent 4 days, mesodermal cells are further differentiated toward the hematopoietic lineage using Medium B. At Day 7, the medium is changed to Monocyte Differentiation Medium, which facilitates the differentiation to monocytes. CD14+ monocytes can be harvested directly from the culture supernatant starting as early as Day 14 and can be repeatedly harvested during the rest of the culture period. Peak CD14+ frequency is typically 60 - 80%.

The hPSC-derived monocytes can be further differentiated to dendritic cells or macrophages using the ImmunoCultâ„¢ Dendritic Cell Culture Kit or the ImmunoCultâ„¢-SF Macrophage Medium, respectively.

For your convenience, components required for the preparation of the Monocyte Differentiation Medium, StemSpanâ„¢ SFEM II and STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Differentiation Supplement (100X), are also available for purchase individually.
Subtype
Specialized Media
Cell Type
Dendritic Cells, Macrophages, Monocytes, Myeloid Cells, Pluripotent Stem Cells
Species
Human
Application
Cell Culture, Differentiation, Expansion
Brand
STEMdiff
Area of Interest
Disease Modeling, Immunology, Stem Cell Biology
Formulation Category
Serum-Free

Data Figures

Differentiation of hPSC-Derived CD34+ Cells into CD14+ Monocytes

Figure 1. Monocyte Differentiation Protocol

One day prior to differentiation, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) colonies are harvested and seeded as small aggregates (100 - 200 μm in diameter) at 10 - 20 aggregates/cm2 in ³¾°Õ±ð³§¸éâ„¢1, TeSRâ„¢-E8â„¢, or mTeSRâ„¢ Plus media. After one day, the medium is replaced with Medium A (STEMdiffâ„¢ Hematopoietic Basal Medium + Supplement A) to induce mesodermal specification (stage 1). On day 3, the medium is changed to Medium B (STEMdiffâ„¢ Hematopoietic Basal Medium + Supplement B) to promote hematopoietic specification (stage 2). On day 7, the medium is replaced with Monocyte Differentiation Medium (StemSpanâ„¢ SFEM II + STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Differentiation Supplement) to promote the production of CD14+ monocytes (stage 3). Monocyte Differentiation Medium is used for all medium changes for the remaining culture period. CD14+ cells can be detected in suspension starting after day 14, and their frequency gradually increases until day 17 - 23. CD14+ cells can be harvested directly from the culture supernatant during medium changes.

hPSC-Derived CD14+ Monocyte Characterization, Frequency and Yield

Figure 2. Robust and Efficient Generation of CD14⺠Monocytes Using STEMdiff™ Monocyte Kit

hPSCs were differentiated to monocytes using the 2D culture system described in Figure 1. Between days 17 and 23, cells were harvested every 2 - 3 days and analyzed by flow cytometry for CD14 expression. Representative flow cytometry plots are shown for (A, B) iPS (WLS-1C)-derived cells and (C, D) ES (H9)-derived cells. (E) The average frequency of viable CD14+ monocytes at the peak harvest was 61 - 78%. The average yield of CD14+ monocytes produced per 6-well plate at the peak harvest was between 1.6 x 10^6 and 7.1 x 10^6 cells. Data are shown as mean ± SEM (n = 3 - 14).

Characterization and Phagocytosis Analysis of Macrophages

Figure 3. STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Kit Generates Monocytes That Are Capable of Differentiation to Macrophages

hPSC-derived monocytes were harvested after 21 days of culture. These were then differentiated to macrophages using ImmunoCult™-SF Macrophage Medium (Catalog #10961) with 100 ng/mL M-CSF for 4 days. Macrophages were then incubated for an additional 2 days with either 10 ng/mL of LPS and 50 ng/mL of IFN-γ, or 10 ng/mL IL-4, to become polarized to M1 or M2a macrophages, respectively. Representative flow cytometry plots of (A) M1 and (B) M2a macrophages produced from the WLS-1C iPS cell line are shown. (C) To measure phagocytosis, PSC-derived M2a macrophages and peripheral blood (PB) monocyte-derived M2a macrophages (primary M2a macrophages), were incubated with pHrodo™ Red Zymosan A BioParticles® Conjugate and incubated at 37°C for 8 hours. Images were acquired using the IncuCyte® ZOOM every 30 minutes and analyzed for internalization of pHrodo™ Red Zymosan A BioParticles® (measured as red object/mm2). hPSC-derived and primary M2a macrophages show similar phagocytic activity.

Characterization of Dendritic Cells

Figure 4. STEMdiffâ„¢ Monocyte Kit Generates Monocytes That Can Be Differentiated to Dendritic Cells

hPSCs were differentiated into monocytes, harvested after 21 days, and differentiated to dendritic cells using ImmunoCultâ„¢ Dendritic Cell Culture Kit (Catalog #10985). Half of the dendritic cells were harvested on day 7 and examined for CD14 and CD83 expression to identify CD14â»CD83â»/lo immature dendritic cells. The remaining dendritic cells were activated for 2 days and assessed for the presence of CD14â»CD83⺠mature dendritic cells at day 7. Representative cultures initiated with ES (H9) cells are shown for production of (A) immature dendritic cells and (B) mature dendritic cells.

Protocols and Documentation

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

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05320
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All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05320
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05320
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05320
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05320
Lot #
All
Language
English
Document Type
Product Name
Catalog #
05320
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

Publications (3)

Development of an iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model for identification of skin sensitizing substances M. Dubau et al. Journal of Tissue Engineering 2025 May

Abstract

The development of immunocompetent skin models marks a significant advancement in in vitro methods for detecting skin sensitizers while adhering to the 3R principles, which aim to reduce, refine, and replace animal testing. This study introduces for the first time an advanced immunocompetent skin model constructed entirely from induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell types, including fibroblasts (iPSC-FB), keratinocytes (iPSC-KC), and fully integrated dendritic cells (iPSC-DC). To evaluate the skin model’s capacity, the model was treated topically with a range of well-characterized skin sensitizers varying in potency. The results indicate that the iPSC-derived immunocompetent skin model successfully replicates the physiological responses of human skin, offering a robust and reliable alternative to animal models for skin sensitization testing, allowing detection of extreme and even weak sensitizers. By addressing critical aspects of immune activation and cytokine signaling, this model provides an ethical, comprehensive tool for regulatory toxicology and dermatological research.
iPSCs and iPSC-derived cells as a model of human genetic and epigenetic variation K. Quaid et al. Nature Communications 2025 Feb

Abstract

Understanding the interaction between genetic and epigenetic variation remains a challenge due to confounding environmental factors. We propose that human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are an excellent model to study the relationship between genetic and epigenetic variation while controlling for environmental factors. In this study, we have created a comprehensive resource of high-quality genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic data from iPSC lines and three iPSC-derived cell types (neural stem cell (NSC), motor neuron, monocyte) from three healthy donors. We find that epigenetic variation is most strongly associated with genetic variation at the iPSC stage, and that relationship weakens as epigenetic variation increases in differentiated cells. Additionally, cell type is a stronger source of epigenetic variation than genetic variation. Further, we elucidate a utility of studying epigenetic variation in iPSCs and their derivatives for identifying important loci for GWAS studies and the cell types in which they may be acting. Subject terms: Epigenomics, Genomics, Transcriptomics
RUNX1 interacts with lncRNA SMANTIS to regulate monocytic cell functions L. M. Weiss et al. Communications Biology 2024 Sep

Abstract

Monocytes, the circulating macrophage precursors, contribute to diseases like atherosclerosis and asthma. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to modulate the phenotype and inflammatory capacity of monocytes. We previously discovered the lncRNA SMANTIS , which contributes to cellular phenotype expression by controlling BRG1 in mesenchymal cells. Here, we report that SMANTIS is particularly highly expressed in monocytes and lost during differentiation into macrophages. Moreover, different types of myeloid leukemia presented specific SMANTIS expression patterns. Interaction studies revealed that SMANTIS binds RUNX1, a transcription factor frequently mutated in AML, primarily through its Alu-element on the RUNT domain. RNA-seq after CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of SMANTIS or RUNX1 revealed an association with cell adhesion and both limited the monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Mechanistically, SMANTIS KO reduced RUNX1 genomic binding and altered the interaction of RUNX1 with EP300 and CBFB. Collectively, SMANTIS interacts with RUNX1 and attenuates monocyte adhesion, which might limit monocyte vascular egress. Subject terms: Long non-coding RNAs, Transcription