Generating Microglia-Integrated Cortical Organoids from Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Hongxin Quan, Xianglin Liu, Min Yan, Zongyong Ai, Baohua Niu, Jing Jiang, Hong Chang, Wenxiang Fu, Runrui Zhang

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell reviews and reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Hongxin QuanState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7312-7836

Xianglin LiuState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Min YanState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Zongyong AiState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Baohua NiuState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Jing JiangState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Hong ChangDepartment of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.

Wenxiang FuYunnan Key Laboratory of Cell Metabolism and Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China. wenxiangfu@ynu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-2261-303X

Runrui ZhangState Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China. zhangrr@lpbr.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2871-0859

Funding

Brain Science and Brain-like Intelligence Technology-National Science and Technology Major Project 2022ZD0207700National Natural Science Foundation of China 32070695National Natural Science Foundation of China 32470846, 32070864Yunnan Province Research Program 202503AP140015

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Brain organoids require the integration of microglia to faithfully recapitulate physiological brain functions, as these immune cells are critical for neurodevelopmental processes and homeostatic regulation. Here, we present a protocol for generating cortical organoids integrated with microglial progenitors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by differentiating hESCs into Yolk Sac Embryoid Bodies (YS-EBs). Within the cultured organoids, the integrated microglia progenitors undergo differentiation, migration, and maturation. Key optimizations include enhanced microglial progenitor yield and organoid maturation, optimized integration timing, and implementation of standardized cryosectioning and dual tissue-clearing methods (iDISCO, CUBIC) to enable comprehensive 2D and 3D validation of microglial integration and their interactions with neural cells. This protocol supports long-term co-culture (up to 46 days) with minimal necrotic core formation, enabling studies of neuroimmune interactions in a physiologically relevant 3D human brain model.

Indexed as

Cerebral CortexHuman Embryonic Stem CellsMicrogliaOrganoidsCell DifferentiationCoculture TechniquesEmbryoid BodiesHumansCortical organoidsMicrogliaNeural developmentStem cells

Identifiers

PMID41986800

DOI10.1038/s41422-023-00846-8

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.