In Vitro Models to Analyze the Migration of MGE-Derived Interneurons

In the developing brain, MGE-derived interneuron precursors migrate tangentially long distances to reach the cortex in which they later establish connections with the principal cortical cells to control the activity of adult cortical circuits. Interneuron precursors exhibit complex morphologies and migratory properties, which are difficult to study in the heterogeneous and uncontrolled in vivo environment. Here, we describe two in vitro models in which the migration environment of interneuron precursors is significantly simplified and where their migration can be observed for one to 3 days. In one model, MGE-derived interneuron precursors are cultured and migrate on a flat synthetic substrate. In the other model, fluorescent MGE-derived interneuron precursors migrate on a monolayer of dissociated cortical cells. In both models, cell movements can be recorded by time-lapse microscopy for dynamic analyses.