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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
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A Static Self-Directed Method for Generating Brain Organoids from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: March 4, 2020
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Building Immunocompetent Cerebral Organoids From a Developmental Perspective.
Xabier Cuesta-Puente1,2, Marco Gonzalez-Dominguez1,3, Marta Pereira-Iglesias1,3
1Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU Scientific Park, Leioa, Spain.
Glia
|July 24, 2025
Summary
Human cerebral organoids require microglia for accurate brain modeling. This review details methods for generating microglial-containing cerebral organoids (MCCOs) and assessing microglial maturity for disease research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human cerebral organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are vital for studying brain development and diseases.
- Conventional organoids lack microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, which are crucial for homeostasis.
- Microglia must be exogenously incorporated and mature within organoids to accurately model the brain environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review protocols for generating microglial-containing cerebral organoids (MCCOs).
- To summarize methods for assessing microglial maturation and immunocompetence in vitro.
- To provide recommendations for standardizing MCCO culture and analysis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on generating MCCOs.
- Analysis of techniques used to assess microglial development and function within organoids.
- Comparison of in vitro microglial characteristics to in vivo counterparts.
Main Results:
- Various strategies exist for incorporating microglia into cerebral organoids.
- Assessing microglial maturation requires evaluating transcriptional profiles, morphology, distribution, phagocytosis, and inflammatory responses.
- Standardized quantitative approaches are needed for robust assessment.
Conclusions:
- MCCOs are essential for modeling brain diseases and understanding microglial roles.
- Standardized protocols and stringent assessment methods are crucial for advancing MCCO research.
- Further development in MCCO technology will enhance their utility in neuroscience and disease modeling.
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