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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.01.18.700209

Capturing self-renewing multipotent neural crest stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells

Toyooka, Y.·Kawaraichi, N.·Kamiya, D.·Yamashita, T.·Komoike, Y.·Fukuda, K.·Akaboshi, T.·Matsumoto, H.·Ikeya, M.
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Abstract

During embryonic development, neural crest cells (NCCs) represent a multipotent population characterized by an inherently transient nature, rapidly differentiating into various lineages. This instability has presented a fundamental challenge, as it is exceedingly difficult to maintain these cells in a stable, multipotent state in vitro. In this study, we report a robust culture system dependent on Wnt and FGF signaling that enables the long-term (>6 months) expansion of human iPSC-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs). These NCSCs retain their self-renewal and differentiation capacity, validated at the single-cell clonal level. ATAC-seq analysis indicated that posterior NCSCs maintain a more permissive chromatin structure at neuronal gene loci. Furthermore, ChIP-seq analysis revealed that the key transcription factor SOX10 binds to the regulatory regions of genes involved in both maintenance and differentiation. This system provides a stable source of human NCSCs, offering a valuable platform for developmental biology, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.

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Toyooka, Y., Kawaraichi, N., Kamiya, D., Yamashita, T., Komoike, Y., Fukuda, K., Akaboshi, T., Matsumoto, H., Ikeya, M.. 2026-01-20. Capturing self-renewing multipotent neural crest stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.01.18.700209

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