Culturing and Manipulation of O9-1 Neural Crest Cells

J Vis Exp. 2018 Oct 9:(140):58346. doi: 10.3791/58346.

Abstract

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are migrating multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into different cell types and give rise to multiple tissues and organs. The O9-1 cell line is derived from the endogenous mouse embryonic NCCs and maintains its multipotency. However, under specific culture conditions, O9-1 cells can differentiate into different cell types and be utilized in a wide range of research applications. Recently, with the combination of mouse studies and O9-1 cell studies, we have shown that the Hippo signaling pathway effectors Yap and Taz play important roles in neural crest-derived craniofacial development. Although the culturing process for O9-1 cells is more complicated than that used for other cell lines, the O9-1 cell line is a powerful model for investigating NCCs in vitro. Here, we present a protocol for culturing the O9-1 cell line to maintain its stemness, as well as protocols for differentiating O9-1 cells into different cell types, such as smooth muscle cells and osteoblasts. In addition, protocols are described for performing gene loss-of-function studies in O9-1 cells by using CRISPR-Cas9 deletion and small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Cell Culture Techniques*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Mice
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
  • Neural Crest / cytology*
  • Osteoblasts
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering