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Wang J, Chen S, Pan C, Li G, Tang Z. Application of Small Molecules in the Central Nervous System Direct Neuronal Reprogramming. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:799152. [PMID: 35875485 PMCID: PMC9301571 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.799152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of regenerative capacity of neurons leads to poor prognoses for some neurological disorders. The use of small molecules to directly reprogram somatic cells into neurons provides a new therapeutic strategy for neurological diseases. In this review, the mechanisms of action of different small molecules, the approaches to screening small molecule cocktails, and the methods employed to detect their reprogramming efficiency are discussed, and the studies, focusing on neuronal reprogramming using small molecules in neurological disease models, are collected. Future research efforts are needed to investigate the in vivo mechanisms of small molecule-mediated neuronal reprogramming under pathophysiological states, optimize screening cocktails and dosing regimens, and identify safe and effective delivery routes to promote neural regeneration in different neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gaigai Li
- *Correspondence: Gaigai Li, ; Zhouping Tang,
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Kojima K, Ichijo H, Naguro I. Molecular functions of ASK family in diseases caused by stress-induced inflammation and apoptosis. J Biochem 2021; 169:395-407. [PMID: 33377973 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
VCells are constantly exposed to various types of stress, and disruption of the proper response leads to a variety of diseases. Among them, inflammation and apoptosis are important examples of critical responses and should be tightly regulated, as inappropriate control of these responses is detrimental to the organism. In several disease states, these responses are abnormally regulated, with adverse effects. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) family members are stress-responsive kinases that regulate inflammation and apoptosis after a variety of stimuli, such as oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In this review, we summarize recent reports on the ASK family in terms of their involvement in inflammatory diseases, focussing on upstream stimuli that regulate ASK family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Kojima
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hidenori Ichijo
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Isao Naguro
- Laboratory of Cell Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Zheng Y, Huang Z, Xu J, Hou K, Yu Y, Lv S, Chen L, Li Y, Quan C, Chi G. MiR-124 and Small Molecules Synergistically Regulate the Generation of Neuronal Cells from Rat Cortical Reactive Astrocytes. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:2447-2464. [PMID: 33725319 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02345-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Irreversible neuron loss caused by central nervous system injuries usually leads to persistent neurological dysfunction. Reactive astrocytes, because of their high proliferative capacity, proximity to neuronal lineage, and significant involvement in glial scarring, are ideal starting cells for neuronal regeneration. Having previously identified several small molecules as important regulators of astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming, we established herein that miR-124, ruxolitinib, SB203580, and forskolin could co-regulate rat cortical reactive astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. The induced cells had reduced astroglial properties, displayed typical neuronal morphologies, and expressed neuronal markers, reflecting 25.9% of cholinergic neurons and 22.3% of glutamatergic neurons. Gene analysis revealed that induced neuron gene expression patterns were more similar to that of primary neurons than of initial reactive astrocytes. On the molecular level, miR-124-driven neuronal differentiation of reactive astrocytes was via targeting of the SOX9-NFIA-HES1 axis to inhibit HES1 expression. In conclusion, we present a novel approach to inducing endogenous rat cortical reactive astrocytes into neurons through co-regulation involving miR-124 and three small molecules. Thus, our research has potential implications for inhibiting glial scar formation and promoting neuronal regeneration after central nervous system injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Zhehao Huang
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130031, Jilin, China
| | - Jinying Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Kun Hou
- The First Hospital of Jilin University, No. 1 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yifei Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Shuang Lv
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Chen
- China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, 126 Xiantai Street, Changchun, 130031, Jilin, China
| | - Yulin Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Guangfan Chi
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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