RNA-programmable cell type monitoring and manipulation in the human cortex with CellREADR

Reliable and systematic access to diverse cell types is necessary for understanding the organization, function, and pathophysiology of human neural circuits. Methods for targeting human neural populations are scarce and currently center on identifying transcriptional enhancers and engineering viral capsids. Here we demonstrate the utility of CellREADR, a programmable RNA sensor-effector technology that couples cellular RNA sensing to effector protein translation, for accessing, monitoring, and manipulating specific neuron types in human cortex, ex vivo. We designed CellREADRs to target two subpopulations, CALB2 GABAergic interneurons and FOXP2 glutamatergic projection neurons, then validated targeting specificity using histological, electrophysiological, and transcriptomic methods. CellREADR expression of channelrhodopsin and GCamp enabled the manipulation and monitoring of these populations in live cortical microcircuits. By demonstrating specific, reliable, and programmable experimental access to human neuronal subpopulations, our results highlight CellREADR’s potential for studying neural circuits and treating brain disorders.