Genome editing and directed differentiation of hPSCs for interrogating lineage determinants in human pancreatic development Journal Article


Authors: Shi, Z. D.; Soh, C. L.; Zhu, Z.; Huangfu, D.
Article Title: Genome editing and directed differentiation of hPSCs for interrogating lineage determinants in human pancreatic development
Abstract: Interrogating gene function in self-renewing or differentiating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers a valuable platform towards understanding human development and dissecting disease mechanisms in a dish. To capitalize on this potential application requires efficient genome-editing tools to generate hPSC mutants in disease-associated genes, as well as in vitro hPSC differentiation protocols to produce disease-relevant cell types that closely recapitulate their in vivo counterparts. An efficient genome-editing platform for hPSCs named iCRISPR has been developed through the TALEN-mediated targeting of a Cas9 expression cassette in the AAVS1 locus. Here, the protocols for the generation of inducible Cas9 hPSC lines using cells cultured in a chemically defined medium and a feeder-free condition are described. Detailed procedures for using the iCRISPR system for gene knockout or precise genetic alterations in hPSCs, either through non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or via precise nucleotide alterations using a homology-directed repair (HDR) template, respectively, are included. These technical procedures include descriptions of the design, production, and transfection of CRISPR guide RNAs (gRNAs); the measurement of the CRISPR mutation rate by T7E1 or RFLP assays; and the establishment and validation of clonal mutant lines. Finally, we chronicle procedures for hPSC differentiation into glucose-responsive pancreatic β-like cells by mimicking in vivo pancreatic embryonic development. Combining iCRISPR technology with directed hPSC differentiation enables the systematic examination of gene function to further our understanding of pancreatic development and diabetes disease mechanisms. © 2017 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Keywords: genetics; diabetes; human pluripotent stem cells; genome editing; crispr/cas9; issue 121; aavs1; glucose-responsive β-like cells; icas9; pancreatic differentiation
Journal Title: Journal of Visualized Experiments
Volume: 2017
Issue: 121
ISSN: 1940-087X
Publisher: MYJoVE Corporation  
Date Published: 2017-03-01
Start Page: e55267
Language: English
DOI: 10.3791/55267
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28287608
PMCID: PMC5408939
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 May 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Danwei Huangfu
    54 Huangfu
  2. Zhongdong Shi
    15 Shi
  3. Zengrong Zhu
    10 Zhu
  4. Chew-Li   Soh
    9 Soh