Generating Human iPSC-Derived Astrocytes with Chemically Defined Medium for In Vitro Disease Modeling.

To better understand and model neurological, in particular neurodegenerative diseases, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a great source for generation of neural cells. We provide a protocol for the differentiation of hiPSc-derived astrocytes in vitro. This protocol not only is chemically defined, that is, it does not use serum, but also allows for the expansion of astrocyte progenitor cells and mature astrocytes. Large batches of hiPSc-derived astrocytes can be stored and used for defined in vitro disease models.