BrainXell Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs)
Use/Functionality: BrainXell OPCs provide a physiologically relevant platform for studying oligodendrocyte maturation, neuron–glia interactions, and myelination biology. In neuronal co-culture and multicellular systems, OPC-derived oligodendrocytes develop complex branching morphology, engage neuronal processes, and form myelin-like structures, supporting applications in demyelinating disease research and therapeutic screening.
Reproducibility / Scalability: Produced using scalable differentiation workflows and demonstrate consistent performance across independent production lots. High O4-positive populations are maintained post-thaw and throughout proliferation culture conditions, with minimal lot-to-lot variability and robust expansion capacity supporting reproducible experimental outcomes.
Expression Profile: Exhibit strong expression of canonical oligodendrocyte lineage markers, including O4, SOX10, and MBP. During maturation, oligodendrocyte-associated and myelin-related genes are progressively upregulated, while co-culture with neurons further enhances expression of key myelination markers such as MBP, PLP1, MAG, and MYRF.
| Catalog Number | Cell Type | IPSC Line | Sex | Reporter | Edit | 1M Size Vial | 2M Size Vial | 5M Size Vial | hf:categories | hf:att:pa_ipsc-line | hf:att:pa_sex | hf:att:pa_reporter | hf:att:pa_edit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BX-1300 | Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs) | WC-30 | M | $925.00 Add to cart | $1,300.00 Add to cart | $2,425.00 Add to cart | opcs | wc-30 | m |
| Product ID | BX-1300 |
|---|---|
| Description | BrainXell human iPSC-derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (OPCs) provide a scalable, physiologically relevant platform for studying oligodendrocyte biology, myelination, and neuron–glia interactions. These highly characterized cells demonstrate robust expression of key oligodendrocyte lineage markers, rapid maturation potential, and compatibility with mono-culture, co-culture, tri-culture, and advanced 3D myelinoid applications supporting translational neuroscience and drug discovery research. |
Maturation
- qPCR analysis demonstrates progressive upregulation of oligodendrocyte-associated genes across maturation time points (Days 0, 7, and 14).
Reproducibility
BrainXell OPCs are produced using scalable, controlled differentiation workflows with robust characterization across experimental conditions. High O4-positive populations are consistently observed immediately post-thaw, while oligodendrocyte lineage identity and maturation markers remain stable across culture timelines and co-culture applications. Myelin-associated gene expression trends are reproducibly observed in neuronal co-culture conditions relative to OPC monoculture.
OPC characterization and live O4 expression over time
(A) Representative O4+ flow cytometry plot demonstrating high O4 expression immediately following thaw. (B) Flow cytometry analysis of four independent OPC lots shows that O4 expression is maintained over time in proliferation media, with no significant lot-to-lot differences. Each dot represents one lot. (C) Brightfield image showing characteristic OPC morphology 24 hours post-thaw. (D) Representative live O4 staining with DAPI nuclear counterstain confirming robust O4 expression and characteristic OPC membrane morphology. (E-H) Live O4 staining at Days 1, 3, 5, and 7 in proliferation culture conditions highlights progressive changes in cell density and morphology over time while maintaining O4 expression. MBP expression was not observed under proliferation conditions.
Expression
BrainXell OPCs express hallmark oligodendrocyte lineage markers including O4, SOX10, MBP, CNP, MAG, PLP1, and MOG. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry confirm strong O4 expression immediately following thaw, while ICC analysis demonstrates maintenance of SOX10 expression during maturation. MBP-positive oligodendrocytes exhibit appropriate lineage identity and mature morphology throughout differentiation and co-culture workflows.
(A-B) Representative flow cytometry analysis demonstrating high O4 expression immediately following thaw, with a distinct O4-positive
population relative to the isotype control. (C) Brightfield image showing characteristic OPC morphology 24 hours post-thaw. (D) Representative live O4 staining with DAPI nuclear counterstain confirming robust O4 expression and characteristic OPC membrane morphology (E) ICC confirms that MBP-expressing cells maintain SOX10 expression, consistent with appropriate oligodendrocyte lineage identity during maturation.
Functionality
BrainXell OPCs demonstrate functional maturation and biologically relevant interactions in both 2D and 3D systems. In neuron-OPC co-culture models, MBP-positive oligodendrocytes extend processes that align with neuronal fibers, consistent with early axonal engagement and ensheathment. Human myelinoid models further demonstrate multicellular integration, dynamic myelin formation, and multilamellar myelin-like ultrastructures visualized by TEM analysis following long-term 3D culture.
Neuron-OPC co-culture promotes oligodendrocyte maturation and axonal engagement
(A) SOX10 (red) and MBP (green) staining confirm oligodendrocyte lineage identity and maturation in the presence of βIII-tubulin-positive neurons (magenta). (B-C) Following one week of co-culture, MBP-positive cells acquire complex branched morphology and extend processes that align with neuronal fibers, demonstrating the cell-cell interactions required for axonal engagement. (D) Neuronal networks provide a structural scaffold for extensive branching and interaction with multiple neurites, consistent with early stages of axon ensheathment. (E) Multiple myelin-associated genes are upregulated in neuronal co-culture conditions relative to OPC monoculture.
Human 3D myelinoid characterization and ultrastructural analysis of myelin formation
(A–D) Representative immunostaining of human myelinoids showing MBP-positive oligodendrocytes (green), GFAP-positive astrocytes (red), and TUBB3-positive neurons (magenta). Merged images demonstrate successful integration of all three neural cell types within the 3D spheroid culture. (E–F) Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showing the distribution of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers throughout the myelinoids following 8 weeks of 3D culture. Scale bar: (A-D) 100 μm (F) 500 nm
Dynamic Myelin Formation and Lamellar Organization in Human iPSC-Derived Myelinoids
(A–C) High magnification TEM images demonstrating varying degrees of concentric membrane wrapping and lamellar organization within human iPSC-derived myelinoids after 8 weeks of 3D culture. Structures range from loosely wrapped membranes to tightly packed multilamellar myelin-like structures, consistent with an active and dynamic myelination process. Insets show enlarged views of representative membrane architecture.
Protocols
BrainXell provides optimized protocols for OPC proliferation, maturation, neuron-OPC co-culture, tri-culture systems, and 3D myelinoid workflows. Protocol recommendations are designed to support reproducible experimental setup, efficient maturation, and downstream functional assays including ICC, qPCR, ELISA, and ultrastructural analysis. BrainXell application scientists are available to support experimental design and workflow optimization.
BETA DRAFT BrainXell O4 Immunostaining of OPCs Protocol v11.0
BETA DRAFT BrainXell OPC Maturation with Neurons Co-culture Protocol vb.1
BETA DRAFT BrainXell OPC Proliferative Monoculture Protocol vb.2