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Updated: Nov 23, 2025

The Indirect Neuron-astrocyte Coculture Assay: An In Vitro Set-up for the Detailed Investigation of Neuron-glia Interactions
Published on: November 14, 2016
Protocol for Tri-culture of hiPSC-Derived Neurons, Astrocytes, and Microglia
Sean K Ryan1,2, Kelly L Jordan-Sciutto1,3, Stewart A Anderson2,4
1Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
This protocol establishes a tri-culture of hiPSC-derived neurons, astrocytes, and microglia for the study of cellular interactions during homeostasis, injury, and disease. This system allows for mechanistic studies that can identify the roles of individual cell types in disease and injury response in a physiologically relevant, all-human system. This protocol utilizes and modifies prior differentiations. Limitations include the prolonged maturation of human astrocytes and neurons and scalability. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ryan et al. (2020).

