Human iPSC-Based Models of Glial Cells for Studying Neurodegenerative Disease

Human iPSC-Based Models of Glial Cells for Studying Neurodegenerative Disease Glial cells — encompassing astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes — perform critical functions in the central nervous system (CNS), providing neuronal support, maintaining brain homeostasis, and modulating the immune response. Their increasing implication in neurodegenerative diseases makes them an appealing addition to iPSC-based model systems for investigating disease mechanisms. Over the last decade, we have developed robust and efficient protocols to generate human oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, neurons, and complex 3D organoid cultures with the full compendium of glia and neuronal cells, so as to investigate the crosstalk between neurons and glia and better understand the neuroinflammation associated with neurodegeneration. We are now using these differentiation protocols to develop human models of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, taking advantage of large collections of patient-specific iPSC lines generated with the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array® – our fully automated, robotic platform for high-quality iPSC derivation. The increasing implication of glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases makes them an appealing addition to iPSC-based model systems for investigating disease mechanisms. Over the last decade, Dr. Fossati’s lab has developed robust and efficient protocols to generate human oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, neurons and complex 3D organoid cultures with the full compendium of glia and neuronal cells. Investigating the crosstalk between neurons and glia has allowed Dr. Fossati’s lab to identify and target glial-driven pathogenic mechanisms linked to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. • Discover the critical roles of glial cells in central nervous system diseases • Learn about methods for developing human glial cell models • Explore how human models reveal intrinsic phenotypes of multiple sclerosis • Learn how ioCells can be used in complex cell models to study neurodegeneration Valentina Fossati, PhD Senior Research Investigator, Multiple Sclerosis & Neurodegeneration The New York Stem Cell Foundation Inês Ferreira Senior Product Manager bit.bio