Human LUHMES and NES cells as models for studying primary cilia in neurons

Primary cilia are antenna-like organelles emanating from the cell surface. They are involved in cell-to-cell communication and bidirectional signal transduction to/from the extracellular environment. During brain formation, cilia critically aid in neurogenesis and maturation of neuronal structures such as axons, dendrites and synapses. Aberrations in cilia function can induce neuron differentiation defects and pathological consequences of varying severity, resulting in ciliopathies and likely a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. Despite the documented relevance of cilia for proper brain development, human neuronal models to recognize and study cilia biology are still scarce. We have established two types of cell models, Lund Human Mesencephalic (LUHMES) cells and neuroepithelial stem (NES) cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), to investigate cilia biology in both proliferating neuronal progenitors/precursors and during the entire neuron differentiation and maturation process. We employ improved immunocytochemistry assays able to specifically detect cilia by confocal and super-resolution microscopy. We provide straightforward and robust methods to easily maintain cells in culture, for immunostaining and characterization of cilia orientation, anatomy and shape in human neurons across all stages of differentiation.