Human Dopaminergic Neurons (iPSC-derived)

Product Description

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons are the major cells generating a neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the central nervous system. DA neurons reside in various regions extending from the midbrain to the forebrain in mammals. Loss of DA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc; AKA A9 group) in the midbrain region may contribute to the motor disturbance in Parkinson’s disease (PD)¹. However, what causes DA neuron to degenerate or die is still unknow¹. To understand the PD progression and develop effective therapeutic approaches in laboratories, a clinical relevant and cell-based platform is needed^1,2,3. Therefore, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived DA neurons can serve as a powerful tool to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, to model AD in vitro for drug discovery, and to pave the road for cell therapy development⁴.

iXCells Biotechnologies provides DA neuron-like cells derived from human iPSCs. Our hiPSC-derived DA neurons express typical DA neuron marker, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as mature neuron marker microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) (Figure 1).  iXCells DA neurons are available in cryopreserved vials (2 x 10⁶ cells/vial). The cells can be recovered in the DA Neuron Maintenance Medium. And after 10-14 days of recovery, these cells will mature into neuron-like cells and will express high levels of TH and dopamine transporter (DAT) (Figure 1, 2, and 3). 

Figure 1. Mature DA neuron-like cells derived from human iPSCs highly express MAP2 and TH markers. (A) Cells were recovered and cultured for 4 days in Human Dopaminergic Neuron Maintenance Medium (Cat# MD-0105A). Robust neurogenesis was observed. (B) Cells were further cultured and matured in Human Dopaminergic Neuron Maturation Medium (Cat# MD-0105B). (C) to (F) Representative images show that DA neurons express MAP2 and TH. Cells were recovered from cryovial and cultured for 11 days. Identity of DA neurons was confirmed by immunostaining using MAP2 and TH antibodies. More than 85% of the human iPSC-derived DA neurons are TH positive (estimated by immunostaining). Nuclei were stained with DAPI.

Figure 2.  Many TUJ1+ neuron-like cells express DAT. Cells were cultured for 2 weeks and used to perform immunostaining of TUJ1 and DAT. More than 50% of the human iPSC-derived DA neurons are DAT positive (estimated by immunostaining). Nuclei were stained with DAPI.

Figure 3.  Majority of mature neurons express tyrosine hydroxylase. Cells were cultured for 2 weeks and used to perform immunostaining of TH. TH signal was detected and quantified by flow cytometry analysis. More than 80% of the human iPSC-derived DA neurons are TH positive. Non-staining cells serve as negative control (Control).

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