A comprehensive protocol for efficient differentiation of human NPCs into electrically competent neurons

Background: The study of neurons is fundamental to unraveling the complexities of the nervous system. Primary neuronal cultures from rodents have long been a cornerstone of experimental studies, yet limitations related to their non-human nature and ethical concerns have prompted the development of alternatives. In recent years, the derivation of neurons from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has emerged as a powerful option, offering a scalable source of cells for diverse applications. Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from hiPSCs can be efficiently differentiated into functional neurons, providing a platform to study human neural physiology and pathology in vitro. However, challenges persist in achieving consistent and reproducible outcomes across experimental settings. Comparison with existing methods: Our aim is to provide a step-by-step methodological protocol, augmenting existing procedures with additional instructions and parameters, to guide researchers in achieving reproducible results. Methods and results: We outline procedures for the differentiation of hiPSC-derived NPCs into electrically competent neurons, encompassing initial cell density, morphology, maintenance, and differentiation. We also describe the analysis of specific markers for assessing neuronal phenotype, along with electrophysiological analysis to evaluate biophysical properties of neuronal excitability. Additionally, we conduct a comparative analysis of three different chemical methods—KCl, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and bicuculline—to induce neuronal depolarization and assess their effects on the induction of both fast and slow post-translational, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional responses. Conclusion: Our protocol provides clear instructions for generating reliable human neuronal cultures with defined electrophysiological properties to investigate neuronal differentiation and model diseases in vitro.