cat no | io1033
Cryopreserved human iPSC-derived cells powered by opti-ox, that are ready for functional experiments in 4 days
Built to investigate the impact of the APOE 3/4 allele in Alzheimer's disease
Consistently perform key phagocytic and cytokine secretion functions, and are co-culture compatible
Human iPSC-derived microglia Alzheimer's disease model
Disease model cells demonstrate phagocytosis of E. coli particles in a similar manner compared to the genetically matched wild-type control
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 1 µg/0.33 cm2 pHrodo RED labelled E. coli particles for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing E. coli particles (left) and the fluorescent intensity per cell (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
Disease model cells demonstrate phagocytosis of Amyloid β-42 particles in a similar manner to the genetically matched wild-type control
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 500 nM AF488 labelled Amyloid β-42 (AnaSpec) for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing (left), and the fluorescence intensity per cell displaying degree of phagocytosis (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
Disease model cells show a pro-inflammatory cytokines response to Amyloid β-42 stimulation
ioMicroglia APOE 4/4, ioMicroglia APOE 3/4 and the genetically matched WT control ioMicroglia Male were stimulated for 24 hours with LPS (100 ng/mL) and IFNɣ (20 ng/mL), or synthetic Amyloid β-42 oligomers (10 μM, StressMarq). Supernatants were harvested after 24 hours and analysed with using the MSD V-PLEX Proinflammatory Kit. Secretion levels were normalised to cell count per field of view (FOV) to account for variations in cell density. Seeding density 80,000 cells/cm2.
A clear response to LPS+IFNɣ and Amyloid β-42 is seen in both disease model cell types.
View the cytokine release protocol used to generate this data.
Disease model cells express key microglia markers comparably to the genetically matched wild-type control
Immunofluorescent staining on day 10 post-revival demonstrates similar homogenous expression of microglia marker P2RY12 and ramified morphology in ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 disease model cells compared to the genetically matched wild-type (WT) control. 100X magnification.
Disease model cells express key microglia markers comparably to the genetically matched wild-type control
Immunofluorescent staining on day 10 post-revival demonstrates similar homogenous expression of microglia marker IBA1 and ramified morphology in ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 disease model cells compared to the genetically matched wild-type (WT) control. 100X magnification.
Disease model cells show expected ramified morphology by day 10
ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 disease model cells mature rapidly and key ramified morphology can be identified by day 4 and continues through to day 10, similarly to the WT control. Day 1 to 10 post-thawing; 100x magnification.
Female donor-derived ioMicroglia form co-cultures with ioGlutamatergic Neurons
ioGlutamatergic Neurons (io1001) were cultured to day 10 post-thaw. Female donor-derived ioMicroglia (io1029) cultured to either day 1 or day 10 post-thaw were added directly to day 10 ioGlutamatergic Neurons. The co-cultures were maintained for a further 6 days. Representative video showing that female donor-derived ioMicroglia form a stable co-culture with ioGlutamatergic Neurons. Live imaging was performed in 6.5-minute intervals over a time period of 3 hours and 31 minutes using the 3D Cell Explorer 96focus Nanolive Imaging system.
ioMicroglia are efficiently transfected with mRNA encoding GFP
ioMicroglia Male are efficiently transfected and show sustained long-term expression of mRNA encoding GFP. Cells were imaged throughout the experiment to assess transfection efficiency and evaluate potential cytotoxic effects of the transfection protocol. Day 4 images were captured prior to transfections on the same day.
Download the step-by-step protocol for lipid-based delivery of synthetic mRNA into ioMicroglia.
A maximum number of 20 vials applies. If you would like to order more than 20 vials, please contact us at orders@bit.bio.
ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 are opti-ox deterministically programmed microglia carrying a genetically engineered heterozygous C112R mutation in the APOE gene, converting the wild-type APOE3 allele to APOE4, encoding the apolipoprotein E4. The APOE4 allele is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD).
These cells offer a functional, rapidly maturing, and disease relevant system to study the role of APOE4 in late-onset AD, alongside the genetically matched heterozygous ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 (io1033) and wild-type control ioMicroglia Male (io1021).
Two clones are available on request (Clone 80 available on request), all genetically matched to the wild type control, ioMicroglia. The disease model cells and the wild-type control offer a physiologically relevant model to investigate the effect of APOE4 on cellular and molecular mechanisms and function in late-onset AD.
Making True Comparisons
Pair the ioDisease Model Cells with the genetically matched wild-type ioMicroglia to directly investigate the effect of APOE4 on late-onset AD.
Quick
Rapidly maturing cells that are ready to use after 4 days post-revival.
Functional
Disease model cells display key phagocytic and cytokine secretion functions.

ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 are delivered in a cryopreserved format and are programmed to rapidly mature upon revival in the recommended media. The protocol for the generation of these cells is a three-phase process: an Induction phase that is carried out at bit.bio, Phase 1: Stabilisation for 24 hours, Phase 2: Maturation for a further 9 days, Phase 3: the Maintenance phase. Cells are ready to use from day 4 for functional experiments as determined by the genetically matched wild type control ioMicroglia Male (io1021).
Starting material
Human iPSC line
Seeding compatibility
6, 12, 24, 96 & 384 well plates
Shipping info
Dry ice
Donor
Caucasian adult male (skin fibroblast),
Genotype APOE 3/3
Vial size
Small: >1.5 x 10⁶ viable cells, Evaluation pack*: 3 small vials of >1.5 x 10⁶ viable cells
Quality control
Sterility, protein expression (ICC), and functional phagocytosis
Differentiation method
opti-ox deterministic cell programming
Recommended seeding density
40,000 to 80,000 cells/cm²
User storage
LN2 or -150°C
Format
Cryopreserved cells
Product use
ioCells are for research use only
Genetic modification
Heterozygous C112R mutation in the APOE gene
Applications
Alzheimer's disease modelling
Drug discovery and development
Neuroinflammation modelling
Phagocytosis assays
cytokine response assays
Co-culture studies
Available clones
io1033S: ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 C112R/WT (CL53)
io1034S: ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 C112R/WT (CL80)
* Evaluation packs are intended for first-time users, or for existing users testing a new cell type or derivative. A user can request multiple evaluation packs as long as each one is for a different product, with only one pack allowed per product.
Disease model cells express key microglia markers comparably to the genetically matched wild-type control
Immunofluorescent staining on day 10 post-revival demonstrates similar homogenous expression of microglia markers P2RY12 and IBA1 and ramified morphology in ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 disease model cells compared to the genetically matched wild-type (WT) control. 100X magnification.
Disease model cells show expected ramified morphology by day 10
ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 disease model cells mature rapidly and key ramified morphology can be identified by day 4 and continues through to day 10, similarly to the WT control. Day 1 to 10 post-thawing; 100x magnification.
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 1 µg/0.33 cm2 pHrodo RED labelled E. coli particles for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing E. coli particles (left) and the fluorescent intensity per cell (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 500 nM AF488 labelled Amyloid β-42 (AnaSpec) for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing (left), and the fluorescence intensity per cell displaying degree of phagocytosis (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
ioMicroglia APOE 4/4, ioMicroglia APOE 3/4 and the genetically matched WT control ioMicroglia Male were stimulated for 24 hours with LPS (100 ng/mL) and IFNɣ (20 ng/mL), or synthetic Amyloid β-42 oligomers (10 μM, StressMarq). Supernatants were harvested after 24 hours and analysed with using the MSD V-PLEX Proinflammatory Kit. Secretion levels were normalised to cell count per field of view (FOV) to account for variations in cell density. Seeding density 80,000 cells/cm2.
A clear response to LPS+IFNɣ and Amyloid β-42 is seen in both disease model cell types.
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 1 µg/0.33 cm2 pHrodo RED labelled E. coli particles for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing E. coli particles (left) and the fluorescent intensity per cell (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
Phagocytosis was analysed at day 10 post-revival after incubation with 500 nM AF488 labelled Amyloid β-42 (AnaSpec) for 24 hours with images acquired every 30 mins on the Incucyte. The graphs display the proportion of cells phagocytosing (left), and the fluorescence intensity per cell displaying degree of phagocytosis (right), and shows that ioMicroglia APOE 4/4 and the ioMicroglia APOE 4/3 cells display a similar phagocytosis response compared to the WT control ioMicroglia Male. Three technical replicates were performed. Seeding density 60,000 cells/cm2.
ioMicroglia APOE 4/4, ioMicroglia APOE 3/4 and the genetically matched WT control ioMicroglia Male were stimulated for 24 hours with LPS (100 ng/mL) and IFNɣ (20 ng/mL), or synthetic Amyloid β-42 oligomers (10 μM, StressMarq). Supernatants were harvested after 24 hours and analysed with using the MSD V-PLEX Proinflammatory Kit. Secretion levels were normalised to cell count per field of view (FOV) to account for variations in cell density. Seeding density 80,000 cells/cm2.
A clear response to LPS+IFNɣ and Amyloid β-42 is seen in both disease model cell types.
ioGlutamatergic Neurons (io1001) were cultured to day 10 post-thaw. Female donor-derived ioMicroglia (io1029) cultured to either day 1 or day 10 post-thaw were added directly to day 10 ioGlutamatergic Neurons. The co-cultures were maintained for a further 6 days. Representative video showing that female donor-derived ioMicroglia form a stable co-culture with ioGlutamatergic Neurons. Live imaging was performed in 6.5-minute intervals over a time period of 3 hours and 31 minutes using the 3D Cell Explorer 96focus Nanolive Imaging system.
In this video, our scientist will take you through the step-by-step process of how to thaw, seed and culture ioMicroglia.
bit.bio | Medicines Discovery Catapult
2024
Elise Malavasi, PhD
Principal Scientist
Concept Life Sciences
Raman, et al
bit.bio
2022
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bit.bio
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bit.bio
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Oosterveen et al.
bit.bio
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Bsibsi et al.
Courtesy of Charles River Laboratories
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bit.bio
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bit.bio
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bit.bio
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bit.bio
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bit.bio
2025
Davenport A, Frolov T & Kotter M
Drug Discovery World
2020
Madeleine Garrett | Field Application Specialist | bit.bio
Euan Yates | Scientist | bit.bio
Human Cell Forum 2025
Session 2 | bit.bio insider: Tools, tips, and what’s coming next
V9
bit.bio
2025
Dr Mariangela Iovino | Group Leader | Charles River
Dr Tony Oosterveen | Senior Scientist | bit.bio
Dr Matthias Pawlowski | Head, Dementia-Sensitive Hospital | University of Münster
Dr Malathi Raman | Senior Product Manager | bit.bio
Mark Kotter | CEO and founder | bit.bio
Marius Wernig | Professor Departments of Pathology and Chemical and Systems Biology | Stanford University
Prof Roger Pedersen | Adjunct Professor and Senior Research Scientist at Stanford University
Dr Thomas Moreau | Director of Cell Biology Research | bit.bio
Antonella Santuccione Chadha, MD | Founder and CEO | Women’s Brain Foundation
Melanie Einsiedler, PhD | Scientific Contributor | Women’s Brain Foundation
Rebecca Northeast, PhD | Senior Product Manager | bit.bio
In this GEN webinar, hear from our distinguished expert, Dr Matthias Pawlowski, and learn about the emerging role of microglia in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and their potential as a therapeutic target to treat this disease effectively.
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Access 20 neuronal disease models and 4 microglia disease models with a single co-culture protocol.
View the co-culture protocol
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Save months of work by skipping complex cell line engineering and cell differentiation workflows.
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Consistent. Defined. Scalable.