STEMdiff Motor Neuron Maturation Kit

Developed by STEMCELL Technologies, this maturation kit supports the generation of mature motor neurons from human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived motor neuron precursors as part of the serum-free STEMdiff Motor Neuron System. The workflow follows an initial 14-day differentiation step, after which motor neuron precursors are matured for an additional 14 or more days to yield populations containing more than 40% mature motor neurons, suitable for motor neuron disease modeling and assay development. Mature cultures are also competent for co-culture with hPSC-derived myotubes for in vitro neuromuscular modeling.

Across hES and hiPS cell lines, maturation generates ChAT-positive (65.16% ± 3.737%, mean ± SEM; n=4 cell lines, 2 replicates per condition), HB9-positive (79.58% ± 2.570%, mean ± SEM), and βIII-TUB-positive (86.56% ± 2.331%, mean ± SEM) motor neurons, as quantified by the manufacturer. Quantitative PCR analysis at Day 28 showed higher expression of ChAT relative to hPSC-derived forebrain neuron controls (n = 5, P<.0001, Two-way ANOVA with Sidak's multiple comparisons test).

The kit contains two components: BrainPhys Neuronal Medium, which should be stored at 2 - 8°C and protected from light, and STEMdiff Motor Neuron Maturation Supplement, which should be stored at -20°C. Both components have a shelf life of 2 years from the date of manufacture. The maturation supplement contains material derived from human plasma; donors have been tested and found negative for HIV-1 and -2, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and the product should be handled using universal precautions.