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Liu S, Xu X, Omari-Siaw E, Yu J, Deng W. Progress of reprogramming astrocytes into neuron. Mol Cell Neurosci 2024; 130:103947. [PMID: 38862082 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2024.103947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
As the main players in the central nervous system (CNS), neurons dominate most life activities. However, after accidental trauma or neurodegenerative diseases, neurons are unable to regenerate themselves. The loss of this important role can seriously affect the quality of life of patients, ranging from movement disorders to disability and even death. There is no suitable treatment to prevent or reverse this process. Therefore, the regeneration of neurons after loss has been a major clinical problem and the key to treatment. Replacing the lost neurons by transdifferentiation of other cells is the only viable approach. Although much progress has been made in stem cell therapy, ethical issues, immune rejection, and limited cell sources still hinder its clinical application. In recent years, somatic cell reprogramming technology has brought a new dawn. Among them, astrocytes, as endogenously abundant cells homologous to neurons, have good potential and application value for reprogramming into neurons, having been reprogrammed into neurons in vitro and in vivo in a variety of ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; The International Institute on Natural Products and Stem Cells (iNPS), Zhenjiang, China; Key Lab for Drug Delivery & Tissue Regeneration, Zhenjiang, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Ximing Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; The International Institute on Natural Products and Stem Cells (iNPS), Zhenjiang, China; Key Lab for Drug Delivery & Tissue Regeneration, Zhenjiang, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Emmanuel Omari-Siaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Kumasi Technical University, PO Box 854, Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana
| | - Jiangnan Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; The International Institute on Natural Products and Stem Cells (iNPS), Zhenjiang, China; Key Lab for Drug Delivery & Tissue Regeneration, Zhenjiang, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Zhenjiang, China.
| | - Wenwen Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; The International Institute on Natural Products and Stem Cells (iNPS), Zhenjiang, China; Key Lab for Drug Delivery & Tissue Regeneration, Zhenjiang, China; Jiangsu Provincial Research Center for Medicinal Function Development of New Food Resources, Zhenjiang, China.
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2
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Sharifi-Kelishadi M, Zare L, Fathollahi Y, Javan M. Conversion of Astrocyte Cell Lines to Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells Using Small Molecules and Transplantation to Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:40. [PMID: 38594388 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-024-02206-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most prevalent cells in the central nervous system (CNS), can be transformed into neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) using specific transcription factors and some chemicals. In this study, we present a cocktail of small molecules that target different signaling pathways to promote astrocyte conversion to OPCs. Astrocytes were transferred to an OPC medium and exposed for five days to a small molecule cocktail containing CHIR99021, Forskolin, Repsox, LDN, VPA and Thiazovivin before being preserved in the OPC medium for an additional 10 days. Once reaching the OPC morphology, induced cells underwent immunocytofluorescence evaluation for OPC markers while checked for lacking the astrocyte markers. To test the in vivo differentiation capabilities, induced OPCs were transplanted into demyelinated mice brains treated with cuprizone over 12 weeks. Two distinct lines of astrocytes demonstrated the potential of conversion to OPCs using this small molecule cocktail as verified by morphological changes and the expression of PDGFR and O4 markers as well as the terminal differentiation to oligodendrocytes expressing MBP. Following transplantation into demyelinated mice brains, induced OPCs effectively differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes. The generation of OPCs from astrocytes via a small molecule cocktail may provide a new avenue for producing required progenitors necessary for myelin repair in diseases characterized by the loss of myelin such as multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leila Zare
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaghoub Fathollahi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
- Institute for Brain and Cognition, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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Hosseini SM, Borys B, Karimi-Abdolrezaee S. Neural stem cell therapies for spinal cord injury repair: an update on recent preclinical and clinical advances. Brain 2024; 147:766-793. [PMID: 37975820 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of lifelong disabilities. Permanent sensory, motor and autonomic impairments after SCI are substantially attributed to degeneration of spinal cord neurons and axons, and disintegration of neural network. To date, minimal regenerative treatments are available for SCI with an unmet need for new therapies to reconstruct the damaged spinal cord neuron-glia network and restore connectivity with the supraspinal pathways. Multipotent neural precursor cells (NPCs) have a unique capacity to generate neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Due to this capacity, NPCs have been an attractive cell source for cellular therapies for SCI. Transplantation of NPCs has been extensively tested in preclinical models of SCI in the past two decades. These studies have identified opportunities and challenges associated with NPC therapies. While NPCs have the potential to promote neuroregeneration through various mechanisms, their low long-term survival and integration within the host injured spinal cord limit the functional benefits of NPC-based therapies for SCI. To address this challenge, combinatorial strategies have been developed to optimize the outcomes of NPC therapies by enriching SCI microenvironment through biomaterials, genetic and pharmacological therapies. In this review, we will provide an in-depth discussion on recent advances in preclinical NPC-based therapies for SCI. We will discuss modes of actions and mechanism by which engrafted NPCs contribute to the repair process and functional recovery. We will also provide an update on current clinical trials and new technologies that have facilitated preparation of medical-grade human NPCs suitable for transplantation in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Ben Borys
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Soheila Karimi-Abdolrezaee
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Spinal Cord Research Centre, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Manitoba Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 3P4, Canada
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4
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Lim B, Domsch K, Mall M, Lohmann I. Canalizing cell fate by transcriptional repression. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:144-161. [PMID: 38302581 PMCID: PMC10912439 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00014-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision in the establishment and maintenance of cellular identities is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms and requires tight regulation of gene expression. While extensive research has focused on understanding cell type-specific gene activation, the complex mechanisms underlying the transcriptional repression of alternative fates are not fully understood. Here, we provide an overview of the repressive mechanisms involved in cell fate regulation. We discuss the molecular machinery responsible for suppressing alternative fates and highlight the crucial role of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) in this process. Depletion of these TFs can result in unwanted gene expression and increased cellular plasticity. We suggest that these TFs recruit cell type-specific repressive complexes to their cis-regulatory elements, enabling them to modulate chromatin accessibility in a context-dependent manner. This modulation effectively suppresses master regulators of alternative fate programs and their downstream targets. The modularity and dynamic behavior of these repressive complexes enables a limited number of repressors to canalize and maintain major and minor cell fate decisions at different stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Lim
- Cell Fate Engineering and Disease Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katrin Domsch
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Mall
- Cell Fate Engineering and Disease Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Ingrid Lohmann
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Dhanjal DS, Singh R, Sharma V, Nepovimova E, Adam V, Kuca K, Chopra C. Advances in Genetic Reprogramming: Prospects from Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1646-1690. [PMID: 37138422 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666230503144619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The foundations of cell reprogramming were laid by Yamanaka and co-workers, who showed that somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells (induced pluripotency). Since this discovery, the field of regenerative medicine has seen advancements. For example, because they can differentiate into multiple cell types, pluripotent stem cells are considered vital components in regenerative medicine aimed at the functional restoration of damaged tissue. Despite years of research, both replacement and restoration of failed organs/ tissues have remained elusive scientific feats. However, with the inception of cell engineering and nuclear reprogramming, useful solutions have been identified to counter the need for compatible and sustainable organs. By combining the science underlying genetic engineering and nuclear reprogramming with regenerative medicine, scientists have engineered cells to make gene and stem cell therapies applicable and effective. These approaches have enabled the targeting of various pathways to reprogramme cells, i.e., make them behave in beneficial ways in a patient-specific manner. Technological advancements have clearly supported the concept and realization of regenerative medicine. Genetic engineering is used for tissue engineering and nuclear reprogramming and has led to advances in regenerative medicine. Targeted therapies and replacement of traumatized , damaged, or aged organs can be realized through genetic engineering. Furthermore, the success of these therapies has been validated through thousands of clinical trials. Scientists are currently evaluating induced tissue-specific stem cells (iTSCs), which may lead to tumour-free applications of pluripotency induction. In this review, we present state-of-the-art genetic engineering that has been used in regenerative medicine. We also focus on ways that genetic engineering and nuclear reprogramming have transformed regenerative medicine and have become unique therapeutic niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daljeet Singh Dhanjal
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Reena Singh
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
| | - Varun Sharma
- Head of Bioinformatic Division, NMC Genetics India Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram, India
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, 50003, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, Brno, CZ 613 00, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, Brno, CZ-612 00, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, 50003, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, 50005, Czech Republic
| | - Chirag Chopra
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
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Zhi Y, Zhu Y, Wang J, Zhao J, Zhao Y. Cortical Organoid-on-a-Chip with Physiological Hypoxia for Investigating Tanshinone IIA-Induced Neural Differentiation. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0273. [PMID: 38434243 PMCID: PMC10907018 DOI: 10.34133/research.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cortical organoids represent cutting-edge models for mimic human brain development during the early and even middle stage of pregnancy, while they often fail to recreate the complex microenvironmental factors, such as physiological hypoxia. Herein, to recapitulate fetal brain development, we propose a novel cortical organoid-on-a-chip with physiological hypoxia and further explore the effects of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) in neural differentiation. The microfluidic chip was designed with a micropillar array for the controlled and efficient generation of cortical organoids. With low oxygen, the generated cortical organoids could recapitulate key aspects of early-gestational human brain development. Compared to organoids in normoxic culturing condition, the promoted neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and neuronal maturation were observed in the present microsystem, suggesting the significance of physiological hypoxia in cortical development. Based on this model, we have found that Chinese herbal drug Tan IIA could promote neural differentiation and maturation, indicating its potential therapeutic effects on neurodevelopmental disorders as well as congenital neuropsychiatric diseases. These results indicate that the proposed biomimetic cortical organoid-on-a-chip model with physiological hypoxia can offer a promising platform to simulate prenatal environment, explore brain development, and screen natural neuroactive components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhi
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,
Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yujuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Jinglin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Junqi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,
Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical Medical College of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering,
Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute,
Southeast University, Shenzhen, 518038, China
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7
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Chudakova DA, Samoilova EM, Chekhonin VP, Baklaushev VP. Improving Efficiency of Direct Pro-Neural Reprogramming: Much-Needed Aid for Neuroregeneration in Spinal Cord Injury. Cells 2023; 12:2499. [PMID: 37887343 PMCID: PMC10605572 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical condition affecting ~2.5-4 million people worldwide. The conventional therapy for SCI fails to restore the lost spinal cord functions; thus, novel therapies are needed. Recent breakthroughs in stem cell biology and cell reprogramming revolutionized the field. Of them, the use of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) directly reprogrammed from non-neuronal somatic cells without transitioning through a pluripotent state is a particularly attractive strategy. This allows to "scale up" NPCs in vitro and, via their transplantation to the lesion area, partially compensate for the limited regenerative plasticity of the adult spinal cord in humans. As recently demonstrated in non-human primates, implanted NPCs contribute to the functional improvement of the spinal cord after injury, and works in other animal models of SCI also confirm their therapeutic value. However, direct reprogramming still remains a challenge in many aspects; one of them is low efficiency, which prevents it from finding its place in clinics yet. In this review, we describe new insights that recent works brought to the field, such as novel targets (mitochondria, nucleoli, G-quadruplexes, and others), tools, and approaches (mechanotransduction and electrical stimulation) for direct pro-neural reprogramming, including potential ones yet to be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria A. Chudakova
- Federal Center for Brain and Neurotechnologies, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, 117513 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina M. Samoilova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialised Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Chekhonin
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology of Medical and Biological Faculty, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Baklaushev
- Federal Center for Brain and Neurotechnologies, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, 117513 Moscow, Russia
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Specialised Medical Care and Medical Technologies FMBA of Russia, 115682 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology of Medical and Biological Faculty, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Kurahashi T, Nishime C, Nishinaka E, Komaki Y, Seki F, Urano K, Harada Y, Yoshikawa T, Dai P. Transplantation of Chemical Compound-Induced Cells from Human Fibroblasts Improves Locomotor Recovery in a Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13853. [PMID: 37762156 PMCID: PMC10530737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of regenerative medicine using cell therapy is eagerly awaited for diseases such as spinal cord injury (SCI), for which there has been no radical cure. We previously reported the direct conversion of human fibroblasts into neuronal-like cells using only chemical compounds; however, it is unclear whether chemical compound-induced neuronal-like (CiN) cells are clinically functional. In this study, we partially modified the method of inducing CiN cells (termed immature CiN cells) and examined their therapeutic efficacy, in a rat model of SCI, to investigate whether immature CiN cells are promising for clinical applications. Motor function recovery, after SCI, was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) test, as well as the CatWalk analysis. We found that locomotor recovery, after SCI in the immature CiN cell-transplanted group, was partially improved compared to that in the control group. Consistent with these results, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological analyses revealed that nerve recovery or preservation improved in the immature CiN cell-transplanted group. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that immature CiN cells highly express hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which has recently been shown to be a promising therapeutic agent against SCI. Our findings suggest that immature CiN cells may provide an alternative strategy for the regenerative therapy of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Kurahashi
- Department of Cellular Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (T.K.); (T.Y.)
| | - Chiyoko Nishime
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; (C.N.); (E.N.); (Y.K.); (F.S.); (K.U.)
| | - Eiko Nishinaka
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; (C.N.); (E.N.); (Y.K.); (F.S.); (K.U.)
| | - Yuji Komaki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; (C.N.); (E.N.); (Y.K.); (F.S.); (K.U.)
| | - Fumiko Seki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; (C.N.); (E.N.); (Y.K.); (F.S.); (K.U.)
| | - Koji Urano
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan; (C.N.); (E.N.); (Y.K.); (F.S.); (K.U.)
| | - Yoshinori Harada
- Department of Pathology and Cell Regulation, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
| | - Toshikazu Yoshikawa
- Department of Cellular Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (T.K.); (T.Y.)
- Louis Pasteur Center for Medical Research, 103-5 Tanaka-Monzen-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8225, Japan
| | - Ping Dai
- Department of Cellular Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (T.K.); (T.Y.)
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9
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Wang J, Sun S, Deng H. Chemical reprogramming for cell fate manipulation: Methods, applications, and perspectives. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1130-1147. [PMID: 37625410 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Chemical reprogramming offers an unprecedented opportunity to control somatic cell fate and generate desired cell types including pluripotent stem cells for applications in biomedicine in a precise, flexible, and controllable manner. Recent success in the chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells by activating a regeneration-like program provides an alternative way of producing stem cells for clinical translation. Likewise, chemical manipulation enables the capture of multiple (stem) cell states, ranging from totipotency to the stabilization of somatic fates in vitro. Here, we review progress in using chemical approaches for cell fate manipulation in addition to future opportunities in this promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinlin Wang
- MOE Engineering Research Center of Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center and the MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shicheng Sun
- Changping Laboratory, 28 Life Science Park Road, Beijing, China; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Hongkui Deng
- MOE Engineering Research Center of Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University Health Science Center and the MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, College of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Changping Laboratory, 28 Life Science Park Road, Beijing, China.
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10
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Fang YM, Chen WC, Zheng WJ, Yang YS, Zhang Y, Chen XL, Pei MQ, Lin S, He HF. A cutting-edge strategy for spinal cord injury treatment: resident cellular transdifferentiation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1237641. [PMID: 37711511 PMCID: PMC10498389 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1237641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury causes varying degrees of motor and sensory function loss. However, there are no effective treatments for spinal cord repair following an injury. Moreover, significant preclinical advances in bioengineering and regenerative medicine have not yet been translated into effective clinical therapies. The spinal cord's poor regenerative capacity makes repairing damaged and lost neurons a critical treatment step. Reprogramming-based neuronal transdifferentiation has recently shown great potential in repair and plasticity, as it can convert mature somatic cells into functional neurons for spinal cord injury repair in vitro and in vivo, effectively halting the progression of spinal cord injury and promoting functional improvement. However, the mechanisms of the neuronal transdifferentiation and the induced neuronal subtypes are not yet well understood. This review analyzes the mechanisms of resident cellular transdifferentiation based on a review of the relevant recent literature, describes different molecular approaches to obtain different neuronal subtypes, discusses the current challenges and improvement methods, and provides new ideas for exploring therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Fang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wei-Can Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jing Zheng
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yu-Shen Yang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xin-Li Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qin Pei
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
- Neuroendocrinology Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - He-Fan He
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Weng M, Hu H, Graus MS, Tan DS, Gao Y, Ren S, Ho DHH, Langer J, Holzner M, Huang Y, Ling GS, Lai CSW, Francois M, Jauch R. An engineered Sox17 induces somatic to neural stem cell fate transitions independently from pluripotency reprogramming. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh2501. [PMID: 37611093 PMCID: PMC10446497 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Advanced strategies to interconvert cell types provide promising avenues to model cellular pathologies and to develop therapies for neurological disorders. Yet, methods to directly transdifferentiate somatic cells into multipotent induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) are slow and inefficient, and it is unclear whether cells pass through a pluripotent state with full epigenetic reset. We report iNSC reprogramming from embryonic and aged mouse fibroblasts as well as from human blood using an engineered Sox17 (eSox17FNV). eSox17FNV efficiently drives iNSC reprogramming while Sox2 or Sox17 fail. eSox17FNV acquires the capacity to bind different protein partners on regulatory DNA to scan the genome more efficiently and has a more potent transactivation domain than Sox2. Lineage tracing and time-resolved transcriptomics show that emerging iNSCs do not transit through a pluripotent state. Our work distinguishes lineage from pluripotency reprogramming with the potential to generate more authentic cell models for aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Matthew S. Graus
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shimiao Ren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jakob Langer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Markus Holzner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guang Sheng Ling
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cora Sau Wan Lai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive and Brain Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mathias Francois
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
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12
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Fabbri R, Cacopardo L, Ahluwalia A, Magliaro C. Advanced 3D Models of Human Brain Tissue Using Neural Cell Lines: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects. Cells 2023; 12:1181. [PMID: 37190089 PMCID: PMC10136913 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Human-relevant three-dimensional (3D) models of cerebral tissue can be invaluable tools to boost our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying brain pathophysiology. Nowadays, the accessibility, isolation and harvesting of human neural cells represents a bottleneck for obtaining reproducible and accurate models and gaining insights in the fields of oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and toxicology. In this scenario, given their low cost, ease of culture and reproducibility, neural cell lines constitute a key tool for developing usable and reliable models of the human brain. Here, we review the most recent advances in 3D constructs laden with neural cell lines, highlighting their advantages and limitations and their possible future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Fabbri
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering (DII), University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ludovica Cacopardo
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering (DII), University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3R Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Italy
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering (DII), University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3R Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Italy
| | - Chiara Magliaro
- Research Center “E. Piaggio”, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering (DII), University of Pisa, Via G. Caruso 16, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3R Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro 3R), Italy
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13
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Guo Y, Wang YY, Sun TT, Xu JJ, Yang P, Ma CY, Guan WJ, Wang CJ, Liu GF, Liu CQ. Neural progenitor cells derived from fibroblasts induced by small molecule compounds under hypoxia for treatment of Parkinson's disease in rats. Neural Regen Res 2022; 18:1090-1098. [PMID: 36254998 PMCID: PMC9827776 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.355820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) capable of self-renewal and differentiation into neural cell lineages offer broad prospects for cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. However, cell therapy based on NPC transplantation is limited by the inability to acquire sufficient quantities of NPCs. Previous studies have found that a chemical cocktail of valproic acid, CHIR99021, and Repsox (VCR) promotes mouse fibroblasts to differentiate into NPCs under hypoxic conditions. Therefore, we used VCR (0.5 mM valproic acid, 3 μM CHIR99021, and 1 μM Repsox) to induce the reprogramming of rat embryonic fibroblasts into NPCs under a hypoxic condition (5%). These NPCs exhibited typical neurosphere-like structures that can express NPC markers, such as Nestin, SRY-box transcription factor 2, and paired box 6 (Pax6), and could also differentiate into multiple types of functional neurons and astrocytes in vitro. They had similar gene expression profiles to those of rat brain-derived neural stem cells. Subsequently, the chemically-induced NPCs (ciNPCs) were stereotactically transplanted into the substantia nigra of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned parkinsonian rats. We found that the ciNPCs exhibited long-term survival, migrated long distances, and differentiated into multiple types of functional neurons and glial cells in vivo. Moreover, the parkinsonian behavioral defects of the parkinsonian model rats grafted with ciNPCs showed remarkable functional recovery. These findings suggest that rat fibroblasts can be directly transformed into NPCs using a chemical cocktail of VCR without introducing exogenous factors, which may be an attractive donor material for transplantation therapy for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guo
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ting-Ting Sun
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jia-Jia Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Pan Yang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Cai-Yun Ma
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China,National Germplasm Resource Center for Domestic Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Jun Guan
- National Germplasm Resource Center for Domestic Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Jing Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Gao-Feng Liu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China,Correspondence to: Chang-Qing Liu, ; Gao-Feng Liu, .
| | - Chang-Qing Liu
- School of Laboratory Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China,Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA,Correspondence to: Chang-Qing Liu, ; Gao-Feng Liu, .
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14
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Yoon JY, Mandakhbayar N, Hyun J, Yoon DS, Patel KD, Kang K, Shim HS, Lee HH, Lee JH, Leong KW, Kim HW. Chemically-induced osteogenic cells for bone tissue engineering and disease modeling. Biomaterials 2022; 289:121792. [PMID: 36116170 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cell reprogramming can satisfy the demands of obtaining specific cell types for applications such as tissue regeneration and disease modeling. Here we report the reprogramming of human fibroblasts to produce chemically-induced osteogenic cells (ciOG), and explore the potential uses of ciOG in bone repair and disease treatment. A chemical cocktail of RepSox, forskolin, and phenamil was used for osteogenic induction of fibroblasts by activation of RUNX2 expression. Following a maturation, the cells differentiated toward an osteoblast phenotype that produced mineralized nodules. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing identified a distinct ciOG population. ciOG formed mineralized tissue in an ectopic site of immunodeficiency mice, unlike the original fibroblasts. Osteogenic reprogramming was modulated under engineered culture substrates. When generated on a nanofiber substrate ciOG accelerated bone matrix formation in a calvarial defect, indicating that the engineered biomaterial promotes the osteogenic capacity of ciOG in vivo. Furthermore, the ciOG platform recapitulated the genetic bone diseases Proteus syndrome and osteogenesis imperfecta, allowing candidate drug testing. The reprogramming of human fibroblasts into osteogenic cells with a chemical cocktail thus provides a source of specialized cells for use in bone tissue engineering and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Young Yoon
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Nandin Mandakhbayar
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongeun Hyun
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Suk Yoon
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kapil D Patel
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Science & Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, South Korea
| | - Ho-Shup Shim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Hyoung Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Lee
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kam W Leong
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN), Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Cell & Matter Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Regenerative Dental Medicine, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomaterials Science, College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Centre, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea; Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Yue C, Feng S, Chen Y, Jing N. The therapeutic prospects and challenges of human neural stem cells for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 11:28. [PMID: 36050613 PMCID: PMC9437172 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-022-00128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging. Due to its insidious onset, protracted progression, and unclear pathogenesis, it is considered one of the most obscure and intractable brain disorders, and currently, there are no effective therapies for it. Convincing evidence indicates that the irreversible decline of cognitive abilities in patients coincides with the deterioration and degeneration of neurons and synapses in the AD brain. Human neural stem cells (NSCs) hold the potential to functionally replace lost neurons, reinforce impaired synaptic networks, and repair the damaged AD brain. They have therefore received extensive attention as a possible source of donor cells for cellular replacement therapies for AD. Here, we review the progress in NSC-based transplantation studies in animal models of AD and assess the therapeutic advantages and challenges of human NSCs as donor cells. We then formulate a promising transplantation approach for the treatment of human AD, which would help to explore the disease-modifying cellular therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
| | - Su Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Bioland Laboratory/Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Yingying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Bioland Laboratory/Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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16
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王 圆, 孙 婷, 杨 盼, 徐 佳, 梁 宇, 吴 凡, 马 彩, 王 春, 刘 长, 郭 俣. [VCR, a Small Molecule Compound, Induces Reprogramming of Rat Fibroblasts into Neural Progenitor Cells under Hypoxic Condition]. SICHUAN DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF SICHUAN UNIVERSITY. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDITION 2022; 53:790-797. [PMID: 36224680 PMCID: PMC10408786 DOI: 10.12182/20220960501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Objective To explore for a protocol for reprogramming rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) under hypoxic conditions (5% O 2) to form chemically induced rat neural progenitor cells (ciRNPCs). Methods The reprogramming of REFs into ciNPCs was done in two stages. The first stage involved chemical induction to generate intermediate cells. The REFs were cultured in KSR medium containing valproic acid, CHIR99021, and RepSox (VCR) and 10000 U/mL leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) for 15 days, under a physiological hypoxic condition. The formation of dense cell colonies, i.e., intermediate cells, were observed. The second stage involved the specific induction of ciRNPCs. The induced intermediate cells were digested with trypsin, seeded on a low adhesion plate, and cultured under normoxic condition to form ciRNPCs neurospheres. Then, after CM-DiI cell-labeling, the ciRNPCs were stereotactically transplanted into the substantia nigra (SN) of rats. The survival, migration, and differentiation of ciRNPCs in the host brain were examined with immunofluorescence assays. Results After induction under hypoxic condition for 5 to 10 days, a clear trend of cell aggregation was observed. Compact cell colonies were observed in REFs treated with VCR for 15 days under a hypoxic condition. Approximately 30 colonies emerged from 1×10 5 cells, and most colonies were positive for AP staining. Moreover, when these cells were cultured further in suspension, free-floating neurospheres formed and stained positive for neural progenitor cell (NPC) markers, including Nestin, Sox2 and Pax6. These ciRNPCs could differentiate into glial cells and neurons, and express neurite marker Tuj1 and astrocyte marker GFAP. Eight weeks after transplantation, the cells could differentiate into GFAP+ and Tuj1+ cells in the rat brain. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that VCR, a small molecule compound, can directly induce, under a hypoxic condition, the reprogramming of REFs to form ciRNPCs with the potential to be induced for differentiation into glial cells and neurons in vivo and in vitro, laying the foundation for transplanting ciRNPCs to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- 圆圆 王
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 婷婷 孙
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 盼 杨
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 佳佳 徐
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 宇 梁
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 凡 吴
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 彩云 马
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 春景 王
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 长青 刘
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
| | - 俣 郭
- 蚌埠医学院生命科学学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
- 蚌埠医学院临床医学院 (蚌埠 233000)School of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, China
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17
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Zhang M, Liu Y, Shi L, Fang L, Xu L, Cao Y. Neural stemness unifies cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102106. [PMID: 35671824 PMCID: PMC9254501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stemness is suggested to be the ground state of tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. However, the relationship between these cell properties is unclear. Here, by disrupting the neural regulatory network in neural stem and cancer cells and by serial transplantation of cancer cells, we show that tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential are coupled cell properties unified by neural stemness. We show that loss of neural stemness via inhibition of SETDB1, an oncoprotein with enriched expression in embryonic neural cells during vertebrate embryogenesis, led to neuronal differentiation with reduced tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential in neural stem and cancer cells, whereas enhancement of neural stemness by SETDB1 overexpression caused the opposite effects. SETDB1 maintains a regulatory network comprising proteins involved in developmental programs and basic cellular functional machineries, including epigenetic modifications (EZH2), ribosome biogenesis (RPS3), translation initiation (EIF4G), and spliceosome assembly (SF3B1); all of these proteins are enriched in embryonic neural cells and play active roles in cancers. In addition, SETDB1 represses the transcription of genes promoting differentiation and cell cycle and growth arrest. Serial transplantation of cancer cells showed that neural stemness, tumorigenicity, and pluripotent differentiation potential were simultaneously enhanced; these effects were accompanied by increased expression of proteins involved in developmental programs and basic machineries, including SETDB1 and the abovementioned proteins, as well as by increased alternative splicing events. These results indicate that basic machineries work together to define a highly proliferative state with pluripotent differentiation potential and also suggest that neural stemness unifies tumorigenicity and differentiation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Yang Liu
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Lei Fang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School
| | - Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Model Animal Research Center of Medical School.
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18
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Ng N, Newbery M, Maksour S, Dottori M, Sluyter R, Ooi L. Transgene and Chemical Transdifferentiation of Somatic Cells for Rapid and Efficient Neurological Disease Cell Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:858432. [PMID: 35634469 PMCID: PMC9130549 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.858432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For neurological diseases, molecular and cellular research relies on the use of model systems to investigate disease processes and test potential therapeutics. The last decade has witnessed an increase in the number of studies using induced pluripotent stem cells to generate disease relevant cell types from patients. The reprogramming process permits the generation of a large number of cells but is potentially disadvantaged by introducing variability in clonal lines and the removal of phenotypes of aging, which are critical to understand neurodegenerative diseases. An under-utilized approach to disease modeling involves the transdifferentiation of aged cells from patients, such as fibroblasts or blood cells, into various neural cell types. In this review we discuss techniques used for rapid and efficient direct conversion to neural cell types. We examine the limitations and future perspectives of this rapidly advancing field that could improve neurological disease modeling and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neville Ng
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Neville Ng,
| | - Michelle Newbery
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Maksour
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Ronald Sluyter
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Lezanne Ooi,
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19
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Alexanian AR. Combination of the modulators of epigenetic machinery and specific cell signaling pathways as a promising approach for cell reprogramming. Mol Cell Biochem 2022; 477:2309-2317. [PMID: 35503191 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04442-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
During embryogenesis and further development, mammalian epigenome undergoes global remodeling, which leads to the emergence of multiple fate-restricted cell lines as well as to their further differentiation into different specialized cell types. There are multiple lines of evidence suggesting that all these processes are mainly controlled by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone covalent modifications, and the regulation of ATP-dependent remolding of chromatin structure. Based on the histone code hypothesis, distinct chromatin covalent modifications can lead to functionally distinct chromatin structures and thus distinctive gene expression that determine the fate of the cells. A large amount of recently accumulated data showed that small molecule biologically active compounds that involved in the regulation of chromatin structure and function in discriminative signaling environments can promote changes in cells fate. These data suggest that agents that involved in the regulation of chromatin modifying enzymes combined with factors that modulate specific cell signaling pathways could be effective tools for cell reprogramming. The goal of this review is to gather the most relevant and most recent literature that supports this proposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshak R Alexanian
- Cell Reprogramming & Therapeutics LLC, 10437 Innovation drive, Suite 321, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226, USA.
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20
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Yang Z, Xu X, Gu C, Nielsen AV, Chen G, Guo F, Tang C, Zhao Y. Chemical Pretreatment Activated a Plastic State Amenable to Direct Lineage Reprogramming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:865038. [PMID: 35399519 PMCID: PMC8990889 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.865038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cells can be chemically reprogrammed into a pluripotent stem cell (CiPSC) state, mediated by an extraembryonic endoderm- (XEN-) like state. We found that the chemical cocktail applied in CiPSC generation initially activated a plastic state in mouse fibroblasts before transitioning into XEN-like cells. The plastic state was characterized by broadly activated expression of development-associated transcription factors (TFs), such as Sox17, Ascl1, Tbx3, and Nkx6-1, with a more accessible chromatin state indicating an enhanced capability of cell fate conversion. Intriguingly, introducing such a plastic state remarkably improved the efficiency of chemical reprogramming from fibroblasts to functional neuron-like cells with electrophysiological activity or beating skeletal muscles. Furthermore, the generation of chemically induced neuron-like cells or skeletal muscles from mouse fibroblasts was independent of the intermediate XEN-like state or the pluripotency state. In summary, our findings revealed a plastic chemically activated multi-lineage priming (CaMP) state at the onset of chemical reprogramming. This state enhanced the cells’ potential to adapt to other cell fates. It provides a general approach to empowering chemical reprogramming methods to obtain functional cell types bypassing inducing pluripotent stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaochan Xu
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Guokai Chen
- Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Fan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Tang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Center for Quantitative Biology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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21
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Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Induced Neural Stem Cells by Small Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031740. [PMID: 35163660 PMCID: PMC8835839 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) reprogrammed from somatic cells hold great potentials for drug discovery, disease modelling and the treatment of neurological diseases. Although studies have shown that human somatic cells can be converted into iNSCs by introducing transcription factors, these iNSCs are unlikely to be used for clinical application due to the safety concern of using exogenous genes and viral transduction vectors. Here, we report the successful conversion of human fibroblasts into iNSCs using a cocktail of small molecules. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that these human iNSCs (hiNSCs) have similar gene expression profiles to bona fide NSCs, can proliferate, and are capable of differentiating into glial cells and functional neurons. This study collectively describes a novel approach based on small molecules to produce hiNSCs from human fibroblasts, which may be useful for both research and therapeutic purposes.
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22
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Zhong C, Liu M, Pan X, Zhu H. Tumorigenicity Risk of iPSCs in vivo: Nip it in the Bud. PRECISION CLINICAL MEDICINE 2022; 5:pbac004. [PMID: 35692443 PMCID: PMC9026204 DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2006, Takahashi and Yamanaka first created induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse fibroblasts via the retroviral introduction of genes encoding the transcription factors Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf44, and c-Myc. Since then, the future clinical application of somatic cell reprogramming technology has become an attractive research topic in the field of regenerative medicine. Of note, considerable interest has been placed in circumventing ethical issues linked to embryonic stem cell research. However, tumorigenicity, immunogenicity, and heterogeneity may hamper attempts to deploy this technology therapeutically. This review highlights the progress aimed at reducing induced pluripotent stem cells tumorigenicity risk and how to assess the safety of induced pluripotent stem cells cell therapy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoliang Zhong
- Department of Cell Biology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinghua Pan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518032, Guangdong, China
| | - Haiying Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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23
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Edwards N, McCaughey-Chapman AJ, Combrinck C, Geiger JP, Connor B. Small Molecules Enhance Reprogramming of Adult Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Dorsal Forebrain Precursor Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 31:78-89. [PMID: 34963331 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of human cell-based platforms for disease modelling, drug discovery and regenerative therapy rely on robust and practical methods to derive high yields of relevant neuronal subtypes. Direct reprogramming strategies have sought to provide a means of deriving human neurons that mitigate the low conversion efficiencies and protracted timing of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neuron specification in vitro. However, few studies have demonstrated the direct conversion of adult human fibroblasts into multipotent neural precursors with the capacity to differentiate into cortical neurons with high efficiency. In this study, we demonstrate a direct reprogramming strategy using chemically modified mRNA (cmRNA) encoding the pro-neural genes SOX2 and PAX6 coupled with small molecule supplementation to enhance the derivation of human induced dorsal forebrain precursors directly from adult human fibroblasts (aHDFs). Through transcriptional and phenotypic analysis of lineage-specific precursor and cortical neuron markers, we have demonstrated that this combined strategy significantly enhances the direct derivation of dorsal forebrain precursors from aHDFs which, following timely exposure to defined differentiation media gives rise to high yields of functional glutamatergic neurons. We propose this combined strategy provides a highly tractable and efficient human cell-based platform for disease modelling and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Edwards
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 62710, Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Auckland, New Zealand;
| | - Amy Jane McCaughey-Chapman
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 62710, Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;
| | - Catharina Combrinck
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 62710, Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Auckland, New Zealand;
| | | | - Bronwen Connor
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, 62710, Pharmacology, Private Bag 92019, Grafton, Auckland, NA, New Zealand, 1142.,University of Auckland;
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24
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Small molecules for cell reprogramming: a systems biology analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:25739-25762. [PMID: 34919532 PMCID: PMC8751603 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
If somatic stem cells would be able to maintain their regenerative capacity over time, this might, to a great extent, resolve rejuvenation issues. Unfortunately, the pool of somatic stem cells is limited, and they undergo cell aging with a consequent loss of functionality. During the last decade, low molecular weight compounds that are able to induce or enhance cell reprogramming have been reported. They were named “Small Molecules” (SMs) and might present definite advantages compared to the exogenous introduction of stemness-related transcription factors (e.g. Yamanaka’s factors). Here, we undertook a systemic analysis of SMs and their potential gene targets. Data mining and curation lead to the identification of 92 SMs. The SM targets fall into three major functional categories: epigenetics, cell signaling, and metabolic “switchers”. All these categories appear to be required in each SM cocktail to induce cell reprogramming. Remarkably, many enriched pathways of SM targets are related to aging, longevity, and age-related diseases, thus connecting them with cell reprogramming. The network analysis indicates that SM targets are highly interconnected and form protein-protein networks of a scale-free topology. The extremely high contribution of hubs to network connectivity suggests that (i) cell reprogramming may require SM targets to act cooperatively, and (ii) their network organization might ensure robustness by resistance to random failures. All in all, further investigation of SMs and their relationship with longevity regulators will be helpful for developing optimal SM cocktails for cell reprogramming with a perspective for rejuvenation and life span extension.
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25
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Welsch R, Touraev A, Palme K. Small molecules mediate cellular reprogramming across two kingdoms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:7645-7647. [PMID: 34865113 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The fertilized egg is the single totipotent cell from which multicellular organisms arise through the processes of cell division and differentiation. While animals typically lose their capacity to redifferentiate cells that are already fully differentiated, plant cells are thought to remain totipotent (Su et al., 2020). Every gardener knows well that plants can regenerate a full array of plant tissues from already differentiated organs. This also seems to be true for single plant cells such as protoplasts, which, under proper in vitro culture conditions, served as the initial source for generation of transgenic plants (Skoog and Miller, 1957; Birnbaum and Sánchez Alvarado, 2008). However, the mechanisms behind the totipotency of plant cells remain elusive, with the exception of the knowledge that the developmental fate of regenerating tissues can be directed by the ratio of two plant hormones, auxin and cytokinin (Skoog and Miller, 1957).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Welsch
- Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
- ScreenSYS GmbH, Engesserstr. 4, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alisher Touraev
- National Center for Knowledge and Innovation in Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent region, Universitetskaya str. 2, The Republic of Uzbekistan
| | - Klaus Palme
- Institute of Biology II, Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
- ScreenSYS GmbH, Engesserstr. 4, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Center for Biological Signaling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Sino-German Joint Research Center on Agricultural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Daizong Street 61, Tai'an, 271018, China
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26
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Li G, Liu J, Guan Y, Ji X. The role of hypoxia in stem cell regulation of the central nervous system: From embryonic development to adult proliferation. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:1446-1457. [PMID: 34817133 PMCID: PMC8611781 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is involved in the regulation of various cell functions in the body, including the regulation of stem cells. The hypoxic microenvironment is indispensable from embryonic development to the regeneration and repair of adult cells. In addition to embryonic stem cells, which need to maintain their self-renewal properties and pluripotency in a hypoxic environment, adult stem cells, including neural stem cells (NSCs), also exist in a hypoxic microenvironment. The subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) are the main sites of adult neurogenesis in the brain. Hypoxia can promote the proliferation, migration, and maturation of NSCs in these regions. Also, because most neurons in the brain are non-regenerative, stem cell transplantation is considered as a promising strategy for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Hypoxic treatment also increases the effectiveness of stem cell therapy. In this review, we firstly describe the role of hypoxia in different stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells, NSCs, and induced pluripotent stem cells, and discuss the role of hypoxia-treated stem cells in CNS diseases treatment. Furthermore, we highlight the role and mechanisms of hypoxia in regulating adult neurogenesis in the SVZ and DG and adult proliferation of other cells in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaifen Li
- Laboratory of Brain DisordersMinistry of Science and TechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain DisordersBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of NeurosurgeryXuanwu HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Jia Liu
- Laboratory of Brain DisordersMinistry of Science and TechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain DisordersBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yuying Guan
- Laboratory of Brain DisordersMinistry of Science and TechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain DisordersBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of NeurosurgeryXuanwu HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xunming Ji
- Laboratory of Brain DisordersMinistry of Science and TechnologyCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain DisordersBeijing Institute of Brain DisordersCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- Department of NeurosurgeryXuanwu HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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27
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Pharmaceutical therapeutics for articular regeneration and restoration: state-of-the-art technology for screening small molecular drugs. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:8127-8155. [PMID: 34783870 PMCID: PMC8593173 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03983-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Articular cartilage damage caused by sports injury or osteoarthritis (OA) has gained increased attention as a worldwide health burden. Pharmaceutical treatments are considered cost-effective means of promoting cartilage regeneration, but are limited by their inability to generate sufficient functional chondrocytes and modify disease progression. Small molecular chemical compounds are an abundant source of new pharmaceutical therapeutics for cartilage regeneration, as they have advantages in design, fabrication, and application, and, when used in combination, act as powerful tools for manipulating cellular fate. In this review, we present current achievements in the development of small molecular drugs for cartilage regeneration, particularly in the fields of chondrocyte generation and reversion of chondrocyte degenerative phenotypes. Several clinically or preclinically available small molecules, which have been shown to facilitate chondrogenesis, chondrocyte dedifferentiation, and cellular reprogramming, and subsequently ameliorate cartilage degeneration by targeting inflammation, matrix degradation, metabolism, and epigenetics, are summarized. Notably, this review introduces essential parameters for high-throughput screening strategies, including models of different chondrogenic cell sources, phenotype readout methodologies, and transferable advanced systems from other fields. Overall, this review provides new insights into future pharmaceutical therapies for cartilage regeneration.
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28
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Ge FL, Si LL, Yang Y, Li YH, Lv ZL, Liu WH, Liao H, Wang J, Zou J, Li L, Li H, Zhang ZL, Wang JB, Lu XC, Xu DP, Bai ZF, Liu Y, Xiao XH. Chinese Patent Medicine Liuweiwuling Tablet had Potent Inhibitory Effects on Both Wild-Type and Entecavir-Resistant Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in vitro and Effectively Suppressed HBV Replication in Mouse Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:756975. [PMID: 34776974 PMCID: PMC8578813 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.756975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liuweiwuling Tablet (LWWL) is a licensed Chinese patent medicine (approval number: Z20060238) included in the national health insurance for anti-inflammation of chronic HBV infection, whereas its anti-HBV effect remains clarification. The study aimed to clarify its antiviral effect and related mechanisms. HepG2.2.15 cells (wild-type HBV-replicating cells) and HepG2. A64 cells (entecavir-resistant HBV-replicating cells) were used for in vitro test. Hydrodynamic injection-mediated HBV-replicating mouse model was used for in vivo test. Active compounds and related mechanisms for antiviral effect of LWWL were analyzed using network pharmacology and transcriptomics. The inhibition rates of LWWL (0.8 mg/ml) on HBV DNA, HBsAg, and pgRNA were 57.06, 38.55, and 62.49% in HepG2.2.15 cells, and 51.57, 17.57, and 53.88% in HepG2. A64 cells, respectively. LWWL (2 g kg-1 d-1 for 4 weeks)-treated mice had 1.16 log10 IU/mL decrease of serum HBV DNA, and more than 50% decrease of serum HBsAg/HBeAg and hepatic HBsAg/HBcAg. Compared to tenofovir control, LWWL was less effective in suppressing HBV DNA but more effective in suppressing HBV antigens. Thirteen differentially-expressed genes were found in relation to HBV-host interaction and some of them were enriched in interferon (IFN)-β pathway in LWWL-treated HepG2.2.15 cells. CD3+CD4+ T-cell frequency and serum IFN-γ were significantly increased in LWWL-treated mice compared to LWWL-untreated mice. Among 26 compounds with potential anti-HBV effects that were predicted by network pharmacology, four compounds (quercetin, luteolin, wogonin, and kaempferol) were experimentally confirmed to have antiviral potency. In conclusion, LWWL had potent inhibitory effect on both wild-type and entecavir-resistant HBV, which might be associated with increasing IFN-β and IFN-γ production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Lin Ge
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lan-Lan Si
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan-Hua Li
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Lin Lv
- Department of Hematology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Hui Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Liao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Le Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zi-Lin Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Bo Wang
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Chun Lu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dong-Ping Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao-Fang Bai
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-He Xiao
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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29
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Neural is Fundamental: Neural Stemness as the Ground State of Cell Tumorigenicity and Differentiation Potential. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:37-55. [PMID: 34714532 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumorigenic cells are similar to neural stem cells or embryonic neural cells in regulatory networks, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. By integrating the evidence from developmental biology, tumor biology and evolution, I will make a detailed discussion on the observations and propose that neural stemness underlies two coupled cell properties, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential. Neural stemness property of tumorigenic cells can hopefully integrate different observations/concepts underlying tumorigenesis. Neural stem cells and tumorigenic cells share regulatory networks; both exhibit neural stemness, tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential; both depend on expression or activation of ancestral genes; both rely primarily on aerobic glycolytic metabolism; both can differentiate into various cells/tissues that are derived from three germ layers, leading to tumor formation resembling severely disorganized or more degenerated process of embryonic tissue differentiation; both are enriched in long genes with more splice variants that provide more plastic scaffolds for cell differentiation, etc. Neural regulatory networks, which include higher levels of basic machineries of cell physiological functions and developmental programs, work concertedly to define a basic state with fast cell cycle and proliferation. This is predestined by the evolutionary advantage of neural state, the ground or initial state for multicellularity with adaptation to an ancient environment. Tumorigenesis might represent a process of restoration of neural ground state, thereby restoring a state with fast proliferation and pluripotent differentiation potential in somatic cells. Tumorigenesis and pluripotent differentiation potential might be better understood from understanding neural stemness, and cancer therapy should benefit more from targeting neural stemness.
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30
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Samoilova EM, Belopasov VV, Baklaushev VP. Transcription Factors of Direct Neuronal Reprogramming in Ontogenesis and Ex Vivo. Mol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321040087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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31
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Cell Transdifferentiation and Reprogramming in Disease Modeling: Insights into the Neuronal and Cardiac Disease Models and Current Translational Strategies. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102558. [PMID: 34685537 PMCID: PMC8533873 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell transdifferentiation and reprogramming approaches in recent times have enabled the manipulation of cell fate by enrolling exogenous/artificial controls. The chemical/small molecule and regulatory components of transcription machinery serve as potential tools to execute cell transdifferentiation and have thereby uncovered new avenues for disease modeling and drug discovery. At the advanced stage, one can believe these methods can pave the way to develop efficient and sensitive gene therapy and regenerative medicine approaches. As we are beginning to learn about the utility of cell transdifferentiation and reprogramming, speculations about its applications in translational therapeutics are being largely anticipated. Although clinicians and researchers are endeavoring to scale these processes, we lack a comprehensive understanding of their mechanism(s), and the promises these offer for targeted and personalized therapeutics are scarce. In the present report, we endeavored to provide a detailed review of the original concept, methods and modalities enrolled in the field of cellular transdifferentiation and reprogramming. A special focus is given to the neuronal and cardiac systems/diseases towards scaling their utility in disease modeling and drug discovery.
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32
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Zhang D, Wang G, Qin L, Liu Q, Zhu S, Ye S, Li X, Wu Y, Hu Y, Liu S, Jiao Y, Sun L, Lv D, Ma J, Luo M, Yao M, Li M, Zhou L, Pei S, Li L, Shi D, Huang B. Restoring mammary gland structures and functions with autogenous cell therapy. Biomaterials 2021; 277:121075. [PMID: 34428734 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In somatic cell reprogramming, cells must escape the somatic cell-specific gene expression program to adopt other cell fates. Here, in vitro chemical induction with RepSox generated chemically induced mammary epithelial cells (CiMECs) with milk secreting functions from goat ear fibroblasts (GEFs). Transplanted CiMECs regenerated the normal mammary gland structure with milk-secreting functions in nude mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that during the reprogramming process, GEFs may sequentially undergo embryonic ectoderm (EE)-like and different MEC developmental states and finally achieve milk secreting functions, bypassing the pluripotent state. Mechanistically, Smad3 upregulation induced by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) receptor 1 (TGFβR1) downregulation led to GEF reprogramming into CiMECs without other reprogramming factors. The TGFβR1-Smad3 regulatory effects will provide new insight into the TGFβ signaling pathway regulation of somatic cell reprogramming. These findings suggest an innovative strategy for autogenous cell therapy for mammary gland defects and the production of transgenic mammary gland bioreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Liangshan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Quanhui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Shaoqian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Sheng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Yulian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Yanan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Shulin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Yafei Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Longfei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Danwei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Jiawen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Man Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Mengcheng Yao
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Mengmei Li
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Surui Pei
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Lanyu Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine in Liver Injury and Repair, the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541001, Guangxi, China
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China.
| | - Ben Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China; School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China.
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Telias M, Ben-Yosef D. Pharmacological Manipulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Human Neural Precursor Cells Alters Their Differentiation Potential and Neuronal Yield. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:680018. [PMID: 34421534 PMCID: PMC8371257 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.680018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a master-regulator of cell fate during embryonic and adult neurogenesis and is therefore a major pharmacological target in basic and clinical research. Chemical manipulation of Wnt signaling during in vitro neuronal differentiation of stem cells can alter both the quantity and the quality of the derived neurons. Accordingly, the use of Wnt activators and blockers has become an integral part of differentiation protocols applied to stem cells in recent years. Here, we investigated the effects of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor CHIR99021, which upregulates β-catenin agonizing Wnt; and the tankyrase-1/2 inhibitor XAV939, which downregulates β-catenin antagonizing Wnt. Both drugs and their potential neurogenic and anti-neurogenic effects were studied using stable lines human neural precursor cells (hNPCs), derived from embryonic stem cells, which can be induced to generate mature neurons by chemically-defined conditions. We found that Wnt-agonism by CHIR99021 promotes induction of neural differentiation, while also reducing cell proliferation and survival. This effect was not synergistic with those of pro-neural growth factors during long-term neuronal differentiation. Conversely, antagonism of Wnt by XAV939 consistently prevented neuronal progression of hNPCs. We show here how these two drugs can be used to manipulate cell fate and how self-renewing hNPCs can be used as reliable human in vitro drug-screening platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Telias
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-SC Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Shi T, Cheung M. Urine-derived induced pluripotent/neural stem cells for modeling neurological diseases. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:85. [PMID: 33985584 PMCID: PMC8117626 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00594-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases are mainly modeled using rodents through gene editing, surgery or injury approaches. However, differences between humans and rodents in terms of genetics, neural development, and physiology pose limitations on studying disease pathogenesis in rodent models for neuroscience research. In the past decade, the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) by reprogramming somatic cells offers a powerful alternative for modeling neurological diseases and for testing regenerative medicines. Among the different somatic cell types, urine-derived stem cells (USCs) are an ideal cell source for iPSC and iNSC reprogramming, as USCs are highly proliferative, multipotent, epithelial in nature, and easier to reprogram than skin fibroblasts. In addition, the use of USCs represents a simple, low-cost and non-invasive procedure for generating iPSCs/iNSCs. This review describes the cellular and molecular properties of USCs, their differentiation potency, different reprogramming methods for the generation of iPSCs/iNSCs, and their potential applications in modeling neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyuan Shi
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Martin Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Yi B, Ding T, Jiang S, Gong T, Chopra H, Sha O, Dissanayaka WL, Ge S, Zhang C. Conversion of stem cells from apical papilla into endothelial cells by small molecules and growth factors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:266. [PMID: 33941255 PMCID: PMC8091697 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02350-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Recently, a new strategy has been developed to directly reprogram one cell type towards another targeted cell type using small molecule compounds. Human fibroblasts have been chemically reprogrammed into neuronal cells, Schwann cells and cardiomyocyte-like cells by different small molecule combinations. This study aimed to explore whether stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP) could be reprogrammed into endothelial cells (ECs) using the same strategy. Materials and methods The expression level of endothelial-specific genes and proteins after chemical induction of SCAP was assessed by RT-PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The in vitro functions of SCAP-derived chemical-induced endothelial cells (SCAP-ECs) were evaluated by tube-like structure formation assay, acetylated low-density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) uptake and NO secretion detection. The proliferation and the migration ability of SCAP-ECs were evaluated by CCK-8 and Transwell assay. LPS stimulation was used to mimic the inflammatory environment in demonstrating the ability of SCAP-ECs to express adhesion molecules. The in vivo Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay was performed to assess the function of SCAP-ECs in generating vascular structures using the immune-deficient mouse model. Results SCAP-ECs expressed upregulated endothelial-specific genes and proteins; displayed endothelial transcriptional networks; exhibited the ability to form functional tubular-like structures, uptake ac-LDL and secrete NO in vitro; and contributed to generate blood vessels in vivo. The SCAP-ECs could also express adhesion molecules in the pro-inflammatory environment and have a similar migration and proliferation ability as HUVECs. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the set of small molecules and growth factors could significantly promote endothelial transdifferentiation of SCAP, which provides a promising candidate cell source for vascular engineering and treatment of ischemic diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02350-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baicheng Yi
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.,Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tian Ding
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University; Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration; Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No.44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ting Gong
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Hitesh Chopra
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Ou Sha
- School of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Waruna Lakmal Dissanayaka
- Applied Oral Sciences & Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Shaohua Ge
- Department of Periodontology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University; Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration; Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, No.44-1 Wenhua Road West, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. .,Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.
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Chen Q, Yuan C, Jiang S, Heng BC, Zou T, Shen Z, Wang P, Zhang C. Small molecules efficiently reprogram apical papilla stem cells into neuron-like cells. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:546. [PMID: 33850518 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy may provide a novel approach for neural tissue regeneration. A small molecule cocktail-based culture protocol was previously shown to enhance neurogenic differentiation of stem cells from dental tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the early phase of small molecule-induced neurogenic differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP). SCAP were cultured in neural-induction medium or neural-induction medium with small molecules (NIMS-SCAP) and examined for their cell morphologies. Expression levels of neural progenitor cell-related markers, including Nestin, paired-box gene 6 (Pax6) and Sry-related HMG box 2 (Sox2), were examined using western blotting and immunocytofluorescence. Expression of differentiated neuron-related markers, including neurofilament protein (NFM), neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-2, were also examined using western blotting, while NFM and MAP2 gene expression and cell proliferation were assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR and Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assays, respectively. SCAP morphology was affected by small molecules after as little as 30 min. Specifically, Nestin, Pax6 and Sox2 expression detected using western blotting was increased by day 3 but then decreased over the course of 7 days with neural induction, while immunocytofluorescence revealed expression of all three markers in NIMS-SCAP. The protein levels of NFM, NeuN and MAP2 on day 7 were significantly upregulated in NIMS-SCAP, as detected using western blotting, while NFM and MAP2 gene expression levels detected using RT-qPCR were significantly increased on days 5 and 7. Proliferation of NIMS-SCAP ceased after 5 days. Electrophysiological analysis showed that only SCAP cultured in NIMS had the functional activity of neuronal cells. Thus, small molecules reprogrammed SCAP into neural progenitor cells within the first 3 days, followed by further differentiation into neuron-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixin Chen
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China.,Department of Implant Dentistry, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Changyong Yuan
- Department of Implant Dentistry, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Shan Jiang
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Boon Chin Heng
- School of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing 100081, P.R. China
| | - Ting Zou
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Zhongshan Shen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221004, P.R. China
| | - Penglai Wang
- Department of Implant Dentistry, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, P.R. China
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Endodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, SAR, P.R. China
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Sowa Y, Kishida T, Louis F, Sawai S, Seki M, Numajiri T, Takahashi K, Mazda O. Direct Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Adipocytes Using a Novel Small Molecular Compound: Implications for Regenerative Therapy for Adipose Tissue Defects. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030605. [PMID: 33803331 PMCID: PMC8000077 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a need in plastic surgery to prepare autologous adipocytes that can be transplanted in patients to reconstruct soft tissue defects caused by tumor resection, including breast cancer, and by trauma and other diseases. Direct conversion of somatic cells into adipocytes may allow sufficient functional adipocytes to be obtained for use in regeneration therapy. Chemical libraries of 10,800 molecules were screened for the ability to induce lipid accumulation in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) in culture. Chemical compound-mediated directly converted adipocytes (CCCAs) were characterized by lipid staining, immunostaining, and qRT-PCR, and were also tested for adipokine secretion and glucose uptake. CCCAs were also implanted into mice to examine their distribution in vivo. STK287794 was identified as a small molecule that induced the accumulation of lipid droplets in HDFs. CCCAs expressed adipocyte-related genes, secreted adiponectin and leptin, and abundantly incorporated glucose. After implantation in mice, CCCAs resided in granulation tissue and remained adipose-like. HDFs were successfully converted into adipocytes by adding a single chemical compound, STK287794. C/EBPα and PPARγ were upregulated in STK287794-treated cells, which strongly suggests involvement of these adipocyte-related transcription factors in the chemical direct conversion. Our method may be useful for the preparation of autogenous adipocytes for transplantation therapy for soft tissue defects and fat tissue atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiro Sowa
- Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-75-251-5730; Fax: +81-75-251-5732
| | - Tsunao Kishida
- Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (T.K.); (O.M.)
| | - Fiona Louis
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan;
| | - Seiji Sawai
- Orthopaedics Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (S.S.); (K.T.)
| | - Makoto Seki
- CellAxia Inc, Nihonbashi, Tokyo 103-0012, Japan;
| | - Toshiaki Numajiri
- Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
| | - Kenji Takahashi
- Orthopaedics Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (S.S.); (K.T.)
| | - Osam Mazda
- Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan; (T.K.); (O.M.)
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Mollinari C, Merlo D. Direct Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Neurons: Pros and Cons of Chemical Approach. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1330-1336. [PMID: 33666839 PMCID: PMC8084785 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03282-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Translating successful preclinical research in neurodegenerative diseases into clinical practice has been difficult. The preclinical disease models used for testing new drugs not always appear predictive of the effects of the agents in the human disease state. Human induced pluripotent stem cells, obtained by reprogramming of adult somatic cells, represent a powerful system to study the molecular mechanisms of the disease onset and pathogenesis. However, these cells require a long time to differentiate into functional neural cells and the resetting of epigenetic information during reprogramming, might miss the information imparted by age. On the contrary, the direct conversion of somatic cells to neuronal cells is much faster and more efficient, it is safer for cell therapy and allows to preserve the signatures of donors’ age. Direct reprogramming can be induced by lineage-specific transcription factors or chemical cocktails and represents a powerful tool for modeling neurological diseases and for regenerative medicine. In this Commentary we present and discuss strength and weakness of several strategies for the direct cellular reprogramming from somatic cells to generate human brain cells which maintain age‐related features. In particular, we describe and discuss chemical strategy for cellular reprogramming as it represents a valuable tool for many applications such as aged brain modeling, drug screening and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Mollinari
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Daniela Merlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Xu L, Zhang M, Shi L, Yang X, Chen L, Cao N, Lei A, Cao Y. Neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:21. [PMID: 33468253 PMCID: PMC7814647 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies demonstrated the dependence of cancer on nerve. Recently, a growing number of studies reveal that cancer cells share the property and regulatory network with neural stem/progenitor cells. However, relationship between the property of neural stemness and cell tumorigenicity is unknown. Results We show that neural stem/progenitor cells, but not non-neural embryonic or somatic stem/progenitor cell types, exhibit tumorigenicity and the potential for differentiation into tissue types of all germ layers when they are placed in non-native environment by transplantation into immunodeficient nude mice. Likewise, cancer cells capable of tumor initiation have the property of neural stemness because of their abilities in neurosphere formation in neural stem cell-specific serum-free medium and in differentiation potential, in addition to their neuronal differentiation potential that was characterized previously. Moreover, loss of a pro-differentiation factor in myoblasts, which have no tumorigenicity, lead to the loss of myoblast identity, and gain of the property of neural stemness, tumorigenicity and potential for re-differentiation. By contrast, loss of neural stemness via differentiation results in the loss of tumorigenicity. These suggest that the property of neural stemness contributes to cell tumorigenicity, and tumor phenotypic heterogeneity might be an effect of differentiation potential of neural stemness. Bioinformatic analysis reveals that neural genes in general are correlated with embryonic development and cancer, in addition to their role in neural development; whereas non-neural genes are not. Most of neural specific genes emerged in typical species representing transition from unicellularity to multicellularity during evolution. Genes in Monosiga brevicollis, a unicellular species that is a closest known relative of metazoans, are biased toward neural cells. Conclusions We suggest that the property of neural stemness is the source of cell tumorigenicity. This is due to that neural biased unicellular state is the ground state for multicellularity and hence cell type diversification or differentiation during evolution, and tumorigenesis is a process of restoration of neural ground state in somatic cells along a default route that is pre-determined by an evolutionary advantage of neural state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Min Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lihua Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Lu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ning Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Anhua Lei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China
| | - Ying Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, and Model Animal Research Center of the Medical School, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Pukou High-Tech Zone, Nanjing, 210061, China.
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Cai M, Han F, Xiong N, Wang Y, Feng S, Wang J, Li X, Wei J, Sun C. Standards of induced pluripotent stem cells derived clinical-grade neural stem cells preparation and quality control (2021 China version). JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.26599/jnr.2021.9040005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have become the leading research object in the clinical application of restorative medicine. They are easily generated from diverse cell sources and functionally indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells without the accompanying ethical issues. To date, the use of iPSC-derived neural stem cells and their progeny in the treatment of neurodegenerative and injurious diseases has achieved good results, with great potential in cell drug development. However, because of some unique biological properties and differences from traditional drug production processes, cell drug research and development has many problems that can hinder clinical applications. Given this situation, the Chinese Association of Neurorestoratology (Preparatory) and China Committee of the International Association of Neurorestoratology have organized relevant professional experts to formulate the standard presented here. Overall, the aim was to promote the clinical application of neural stem cells (NSCs) and their further derived neural cells from iPSC sources and promote cell drugs’ production and development. This standard refers to the latest research results, quality evaluation criteria for traditional medicines, and the regulatory framework for cellular treatments. The standard considers general biological properties of cells, including cell morphology, cell cycle, karyotype, and cell viability. The specific biological properties of NSCs, such as cell surface markers and differentiation ability, general drug standards, such as aseptic testing, endotoxins, human virus detection, and cell-related drug standards, such as telomerase activity and tumorigenicity, are also considered. This standard will serve as a reference for physicians and scientists who focus on clinical nervous cell applications and studies related to iPSCs.
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Qin H, Zhao AD, Sun ML, Ma K, Fu XB. Direct conversion of human fibroblasts into dopaminergic neuron-like cells using small molecules and protein factors. Mil Med Res 2020; 7:52. [PMID: 33129359 PMCID: PMC7603706 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-020-00284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Generation of neurons is essential in cell replacement therapy for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease. Several studies have reported the generation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from mouse and human fibroblasts by ectopic expression of transcription factors, in which genetic manipulation is associated with potential risks. METHODS The small molecules and protein factors were selected based on their function to directly induce human fetal lung IMR-90 fibroblasts into DA neuron-like cells. Microscopical, immunocytochemical, and RT-qPCR analyses were used to characterize the morphology, phenotype, and gene expression features of the induced cells. The whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were exploited to measure the electrophysiological properties. RESULTS Human IMR-90 fibroblasts were rapidly converted into DA neuron-like cells after the chemical induction using small molecules and protein factors, with a yield of approximately 95% positive TUJ1-positive cells. The induced DA neuron-like cells were immunopositive for pan-neuronal markers MAP2, NEUN, and Synapsin 1 and DA markers TH, DDC, DAT, and NURR1. The chemical induction process did not involve a neural progenitor/stem cell intermediate stage. The induced neurons could fire single action potentials, which reflected partially the electrophysiological properties of neurons. CONCLUSION We developed a chemical cocktail of small molecules and protein factors to convert human fibroblasts into DA neuron-like cells without passing through a neural progenitor/stem cell intermediate stage. The induced DA neuron-like cells from human fibroblasts might provide a cellular source for cell-based therapy of Parkinson's disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qin
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - An-Dong Zhao
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.,Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Meng-Li Sun
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Kui Ma
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, China. .,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China. .,Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, China.
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Chemicals orchestrate reprogramming with hierarchical activation of master transcription factors primed by endogenous Sox17 activation. Commun Biol 2020; 3:629. [PMID: 33128002 PMCID: PMC7603307 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01346-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse somatic cells can be chemically reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs) through an intermediate extraembryonic endoderm (XEN)-like state. However, it is elusive how the chemicals orchestrate the cell fate alteration. In this study, we analyze molecular dynamics in chemical reprogramming from fibroblasts to a XEN-like state. We find that Sox17 is initially activated by the chemical cocktails, and XEN cell fate specialization is subsequently mediated by Sox17 activated expression of other XEN master genes, such as Sall4 and Gata4. Furthermore, this stepwise process is differentially regulated. The core reprogramming chemicals CHIR99021, 616452 and Forskolin are all necessary for Sox17 activation, while differently required for Gata4 and Sall4 expression. The addition of chemical boosters in different phases further improves the generation efficiency of XEN-like cells. Taken together, our work demonstrates that chemical reprogramming is regulated in 3 distinct “prime–specify–transit” phases initiated with endogenous Sox17 activation, providing a new framework to understand cell fate determination. Yang, Xu, Gu et al. demonstrate that activation of endogenous Sox17 pushes fibroblasts to an extraembryonic endoderm-like state in chemically induced reprogramming of somatic cells into stem cells. This study provides insights into how chemicals prime the transition of somatic cells into stem cells.
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Yuan ZD, Zhu WN, Liu KZ, Huang ZP, Han YC. Small Molecule Epigenetic Modulators in Pure Chemical Cell Fate Conversion. Stem Cells Int 2020; 2020:8890917. [PMID: 33144865 PMCID: PMC7596432 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8890917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although innovative technologies for somatic cell reprogramming and transdifferentiation provide new strategies for the research of translational medicine, including disease modeling, drug screening, artificial organ development, and cell therapy, recipient safety remains a concern due to the use of exogenous transcription factors during induction. To resolve this problem, new induction approaches containing clinically applicable small molecules have been explored. Small molecule epigenetic modulators such as DNA methylation writer inhibitors, histone methylation writer inhibitors, histone acylation reader inhibitors, and histone acetylation eraser inhibitors could overcome epigenetic barriers during cell fate conversion. In the past few years, significant progress has been made in reprogramming and transdifferentiation of somatic cells with small molecule approaches. In the present review, we systematically discuss recent achievements of pure chemical reprogramming and transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Di Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ning Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke-Zhi Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Grade 19, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhan-Peng Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Chuang Han
- Department of Cardiology, Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Assisted Circulation (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou, China
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Milichko V, Dyachuk V. Novel Glial Cell Functions: Extensive Potency, Stem Cell-Like Properties, and Participation in Regeneration and Transdifferentiation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:809. [PMID: 33015034 PMCID: PMC7461986 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial cells are the most abundant cells in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. During the past decade, a subpopulation of immature peripheral glial cells, namely, embryonic Schwann cell-precursors, have been found to perform important functions related to development. These cells have properties resembling those of the neural crest and, depending on their location in the body, can transform into several different cell types in peripheral tissues, including autonomic neurons. This review describes the multipotent properties of Schwann cell-precursors and their importance, together with innervation, during early development. The heterogeneity of Schwann cells, as revealed using single-cell transcriptomics, raises a question on whether some glial cells in the adult peripheral nervous system retain their stem cell-like properties. We also discuss how a deeper insight into the biology of both embryonic and adult Schwann cells might lead to an effective treatment of the damage of both neural and non-neural tissues, including the damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, understanding the potential involvement of Schwann cells in the regulation of tumor development may reveal novel targets for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Milichko
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vyacheslav Dyachuk
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
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45
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Urine-Derived Epithelial Cell Lines: A New Tool to Model Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Cells 2020; 9:cells9102240. [PMID: 33027907 PMCID: PMC7600987 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental condition associated with intellectual disability and behavioral problems due to the lack of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which plays a crucial role in synaptic plasticity and memory. A desirable in vitro cell model to study FXS would be one that can be generated by simple isolation and culture method from a collection of a non-invasive donor specimen. Currently, the various donor-specific cells can be isolated mainly from peripheral blood and skin biopsy. However, they are somewhat invasive methods for establishing cell lines from the primary subject material. In this study, we characterized a cost-effective and straightforward method to derive epithelial cell lines from urine samples collected from participants with FXS and healthy controls (TD). The urine-derived cells expressed epithelial cell surface markers via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). We observed inter, and the intra-tissue CGG mosaicism in the PBMCs and the urine-derived cells from participants with FXS potentially related to the observed variations in the phenotypic and clinical presentation FXS. We characterized these urine-derived epithelial cells for FMR1 mRNA and FMRP expression and observed some expression in the lines derived from full mutation mosaic participants. Further, FMRP expression was localized in the cytoplasm of the urine-derived epithelial cells of healthy controls. Deficient FMRP expression was also observed in mosaic males, while, as expected, no expression was observed in cells derived from participants with a hypermethylated full mutation.
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Pan Z, Oh J, Huang L, Zeng Z, Duan P, Li Z, Yun Y, Kim J, Ha Y, Cao K. The combination of forskolin and VPA increases gene expression efficiency to the hypoxia/neuron-specific system. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:933. [PMID: 32953733 PMCID: PMC7475429 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-3871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) tends to damage neural tissue and generate a hypoxic environment. Studies have confirmed that single therapy with gene or stem cells is inefficient, but research into combining stem cells and gene therapy in treating tissue damage has been undertaken to overcome the related limitations, which include low gene delivery efficiency and therapeutic outcome. Thus, a combination of stem cells, gene therapy, and a hypoxia-specific system may be useful for the reconstruction of SCI. Methods To synergistically treat SCI, a combined platform using a hypoxia/neuron-inducible gene expression system (HNIS) and human induced-neural stem cells (hiNSCs) produced by direct reprogramming was designed. Sox2- or nestin-positive hiNSCs were differentiated to Tuj1-, MAP2-, or NeuN-positive neurons. Results HNIS showed consistent hypoxia/neuron-specific gene expression in hiNSCs cultured under hypoxia. In particular, the HNIS-hiNSC combined platform revealed a complex pattern with higher gene expression compared with a single platform. In addition, we found that an optimal combination of small molecules, such as CHIR99021, valproic acid (VPA), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, could significantly enhance gene expression with HNIS-hiNSCs in the hypoxic environment. Conclusions This experiment demonstrated that HNIS-hiNSCs combined with GSK3 and HDAC inhibitors may present another promising strategy in the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Pan
- Spine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jinsoo Oh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Lu Huang
- Department of Child Health and Care, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhaoxun Zeng
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Pingguo Duan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhiyun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yeomin Yun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Janghwan Kim
- Stem Cell Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Spine and Spinal Cord Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kai Cao
- Spine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Yi B, Dissanayaka WL, Zhang C. Growth Factors and Small-molecule Compounds in Derivation of Endothelial Lineages from Dental Stem Cells. J Endod 2020; 46:S63-S70. [PMID: 32950197 DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2020.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Incorporating fully assembled microvascular networks into bioengineered dental pulp constructs can significantly enhance functional blood flow and tissue survival upon transplantation. Endothelial cells (ECs), cellular building blocks of vascular tissue, play an essential role in the process of prevascularization. However, obtaining sufficient ECs from a suitable source for translational application is challenging. Dental stem cells (DSCs), which exhibit a robust proliferative ability and immunocompatibility because of their autologous origin, could be a promising alternative cell source for the derivation of endothelial lineages. Under specific culture conditions, DSCs differentiate into osteo/odontogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and neurogenic cell lineages. METHODS Recently, a new approach has been developed to directly reprogram cells using chemical cocktails and growth factors. Compared with the traditional reprogramming approach based on the forced expression of exogenous transcription factors, the chemical strategy avoids the risk associated with lentiviral transduction while offering a more viable methodology to drive cell lineage switch. The aim of this review was to unveil the concept of the use of small-molecule compounds and growth factors modulating key signaling pathways to derive ECs from DSCs. RESULTS In addition, our preliminary study showed that stem cells from the apical papilla could be induced into EC-like cells using small-molecule compounds and growth factors. These EC-like cells expressed endothelial specific genes (CD31 and VEGFR2) and proteins (CD31, VEGF receptor 2, and vascular endothelial cadherin) as well as gave rise to vessel-like tubular structures in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary results suggest that chemical reprogramming might offer a novel way to generate EC-like cells from dental stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baicheng Yi
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Waruna Lakmal Dissanayaka
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chengfei Zhang
- Restorative Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China.
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Zhao AD, Qin H, Sun ML, Ma K, Fu XB. Efficient and rapid conversion of human astrocytes and ALS mouse model spinal cord astrocytes into motor neuron-like cells by defined small molecules. Mil Med Res 2020; 7:42. [PMID: 32892745 PMCID: PMC7487818 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-020-00271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor neuron degeneration or loss in the spinal cord is the characteristic phenotype of motor neuron diseases or spinal cord injuries. Being proliferative and located near neurons, astrocytes are considered ideal cell sources for regenerating neurons. METHODS We selected and tested different combinations of the small molecules for inducing the conversion of human and mouse astrocytes into neurons. Microscopic imaging and immunocytochemistry analyses were used to characterize the morphology and phenotype of the induced neurons while RT-qPCR was utilized to analyze changes in gene expression. In addition, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were measured to examine the electrophysiological properties of induced neurons. RESULTS The results showed that human astrocytes could be rapidly and efficiently converted into motor neuron-like cells by treatment with defined small molecules, with a yield of over 85% motor neuron-like cells attained. The induced motor neuron-like cells expressed the pan-neuronal markers TUJ1, MAP2, NeuN, and Synapsin 1 and motor neuron markers HB9, ISL1, CHAT, and VAChT. During the conversion process, the cells did not pass through a proliferative neural progenitor cell intermediate. The induced motor neurons were functional, showing the electrophysiological properties of neurons. The same chemical cocktail could induce spinal cord astrocytes from an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model carrying a SOD1 mutation to become motor neuron-like cells that exhibited a decrease in cell survival and an increase in oxidative stress compared to that observed in wild-type MNs derived from healthy mice. Moreover, the chemical induction reduced oxidative stress in the mutant astrocytes. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrated the feasibility of chemically converting human and mouse astrocytes into motor neuron-like cells that are useful for neurodegenerative disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Dong Zhao
- Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China
| | - Hua Qin
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Meng-Li Sun
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Kui Ma
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China.,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, 28 Fu Xing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100853, P. R. China. .,PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100048, China. .,Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100048, China.
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49
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Liu C, Hu X, Li Y, Lu W, Li W, Cao N, Zhu S, Cheng J, Ding S, Zhang M. Conversion of mouse fibroblasts into oligodendrocyte progenitor-like cells through a chemical approach. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:489-495. [PMID: 30629188 PMCID: PMC6604601 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjy088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) is a promising way for treating demyelinating diseases. However, generation of scalable and autologous sources of OPCs has proven difficult. We previously established a chemical condition M9 that could specifically initiate neural program in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Here we found that M9 could induce the formation of colonies that undergo mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition at the early stage of reprogramming. These colonies may represent unstable and neural lineage-restricted intermediates that have not established a neural stem cell identity. By modulating the culture signaling recapitulating the principle of OPC development, these intermediate cells could be reprogrammed towards OPC fate. The chemical-induced OPC-like cells (ciOPLCs) resemble primary neural stem cell-derived OPCs in terms of their morphology, gene expression, and the ability of self-renewal. Upon differentiation, ciOPLCs could produce functional oligodendrocytes and myelinate the neuron axons in vitro, validating their OPC identity molecularly and functionally. Therefore, our study provides a non-integrating approach to OPC reprogramming that may ultimately provide an avenue to patient-specific cell-based or in situ regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Hu
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawen Li
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Lu
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenlin Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Cao
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Saiyong Zhu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinke Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Ding
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mingliang Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai, China
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50
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Zeng J, Li Y, Ma Z, Hu M. Advances in Small Molecules in Cellular Reprogramming: Effects, Structures, and Mechanisms. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 16:115-132. [PMID: 32564763 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x15666200621172042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The method of cellular reprogramming using small molecules involves the manipulation of somatic cells to generate desired cell types under chemically limited conditions, thus avoiding the ethical controversy of embryonic stem cells and the potential hazards of gene manipulation. The combinations of small molecules and their effects on mouse and human somatic cells are similar. Several small molecules, including CHIR99021, 616452, A83-01, SB431542, forskolin, tranylcypromine and valproic acid [VPA], have been frequently used in reprogramming of mouse and human somatic cells. This indicated that the reprogramming approaches related to these compounds were essential. These approaches were mainly divided into four classes: epigenetic modification, signal modulation, metabolic modulation and senescent suppression. The structures and functions of small molecules involved in these reprogramming approaches have been studied extensively. Molecular docking gave insights into the mechanisms and structural specificities of various small molecules in the epigenetic modification. The binding modes of RG108, Bix01294, tranylcypromine and VPA with their corresponding proteins clearly illustrated the interactions between these compounds and the active sites of the proteins. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β [CHIR99021], transforming growth factor β [616452, A83-01 and SB431542] and protein kinase A [forskolin] signaling pathway play important roles in signal modulation during reprogramming, however, the mechanisms and structural specificities of these inhibitors are still unknown. Further, the numbers of small molecules in the approaches of metabolic modulation and senescent suppression were too few to compare. This review aims to serve as a reference for reprogramming through small molecules in order to benefit future regenerative medicine and clinical drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zeng
- Yunnan Key laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases & Yunnan Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Yanjiao Li
- Yunnan Key laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases & Yunnan Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Zhaoxia Ma
- Yunnan Key laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases & Yunnan Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Min Hu
- Yunnan Key laboratory for Basic Research on Bone and Joint Diseases & Yunnan Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
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