Generating human neural diversity with a multiplexed morphogen screen in organoids

Abstract

Morphogens choreograph the generation of remarkable cellular diversity in the developing nervous system. Differentiation of stem cells in vitro often relies upon the combinatorial modulation of these signaling pathways. However, the lack of a systematic approach to understand morphogen-directed differentiation has precluded the generation of many neural cell populations, and the general principles of regional specification and maturation remain incomplete. Here, we developed an arrayed screen of 14 morphogen modulators in human neural organoids cultured for over 70 days. Deconvolution of single-cell-multiplexed RNA sequencing data revealed design principles of brain region specification. We tuned neural subtype diversity to generate a tachykinin 3 (TAC3)-expressing striatal interneuron type within assembloids. To circumvent limitations of in vitro neuronal maturation, we used a neonatal rat transplantation strategy that enabled human Purkinje neurons to develop their hallmark complex dendritic branching. This comprehensive platform yields insights into the factors influencing stem cell-derived neural diversification and maturation.