Neural Crest Cells from Dual SMAD Inhibition.

Neural crest (NC) cells are migratory multipotent progenitors that delaminate from the neural tube during embryonic development and give rise to various cell types in different organs. These cells are a transient embryonic cell population and therefore difficult to obtain from primary sources. Deriving NC from human pluripotent stem cells offers an alternative way to provide large-scale human NC cells for developmental and disease-related studies. In recent years, the protocols to make these cells have matured, incorporating the efficient conversion of pluripotent stem cells to neural cells through dual SMAD inhibition and early Wnt activation to increase the yield of NC cells. Here, we provide a minor variation to this NC protocol that has been successful for many in our laboratories.