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Kakogiannis D, Kourla M, Dimitrakopoulos D, Kazanis I. Reversal of Postnatal Brain Astrocytes and Ependymal Cells towards a Progenitor Phenotype in Culture. Cells 2024; 13:668. [PMID: 38667283 PMCID: PMC11049274 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080668] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes and ependymal cells have been reported to be able to switch from a mature cell identity towards that of a neural stem/progenitor cell. Astrocytes are widely scattered in the brain where they exert multiple functions and are routinely targeted for in vitro and in vivo reprogramming. Ependymal cells serve more specialized functions, lining the ventricles and the central canal, and are multiciliated, epithelial-like cells that, in the spinal cord, act as bi-potent progenitors in response to injury. Here, we isolate or generate ependymal cells and post-mitotic astrocytes, respectively, from the lateral ventricles of the mouse brain and we investigate their capacity to reverse towards a progenitor-like identity in culture. Inhibition of the GSK3 and TGFβ pathways facilitates the switch of mature astrocytes to Sox2-expressing, mitotic cells that generate oligodendrocytes. Although this medium allows for the expansion of quiescent NSCs, isolated from live rats by "milking of the brain", it does not fully reverse astrocytes towards the bona fide NSC identity; this is a failure correlated with a concomitant lack of neurogenic activity. Ependymal cells could be induced to enter mitosis either via exposure to neuraminidase-dependent stress or by culturing them in the presence of FGF2 and EGF. Overall, our data confirm that astrocytes and ependymal cells retain a high capacity to reverse to a progenitor identity and set up a simple and highly controlled platform for the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate this reversal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kakogiannis
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Michaela Kourla
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Biology-Biochemistry Lab, Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Dimitrakopoulos
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ilias Kazanis
- Lab of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece; (D.K.); (M.K.); (D.D.)
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK
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Lim NK, Jeon HB, Kim S. The transdifferentiation of human dedifferentiated fat cells into fibroblasts: An in vitro experimental pilot study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37595. [PMID: 38552064 PMCID: PMC10977558 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin grafting is a common method of treating damaged skin; however, surgical complications may arise in patients with poor health. Currently, no effective conservative treatment is available for extensive skin loss. Mature adipocytes, which constitute a substantial portion of adipose tissue, have recently emerged as a potential source of stemness. When de-lipidated, these cells exhibit fibroblast-like characteristics and the ability to redifferentiate, offering homogeneity and research utility as "dedifferentiated fat cells." METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted an in vitro study to induce fibroblast-like traits in the adipose tissue by transdifferentiating mature adipocytes for skin regeneration. Human subcutaneous fat tissues were isolated and purified from mature adipocytes that underwent a transformation process over 14 days of cultivation. Microscopic analysis revealed lipid degradation over time, ultimately transforming cells into fibroblast-like forms. Flow cytometry was used to verify their characteristics, highlighting markers such as CD90 and CD105 (mesenchymal stem cell markers) and CD56 and CD106 (for detecting fibroblast characteristics). Administering dedifferentiated fat cells with transforming growth factor-β at the identified optimal differentiation concentration of 5 ng/mL for a span of 14 days led to heightened expression of alpha smooth muscle actin and fibronectin, as evidenced by RNA and protein analysis. Meanwhile, functional validation through cell sorting demonstrated limited fibroblast marker expression in both treated and untreated cells after transdifferentiation by transforming growth factor-β. CONCLUSION Although challenges remain in achieving more effective transformation and definitive fibroblast differentiation, our trial could pave the way for a novel skin regeneration treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Kyu Lim
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea
- Dankook Physician Scientist Research Center (DPSRC), Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Bae Jeon
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea
- Dankook Physician Scientist Research Center (DPSRC), Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungyeon Kim
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Chungcheongnamdo, Republic of Korea
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Wu Y, Meng X, Cheng WY, Yan Z, Li K, Wang J, Jiang T, Zhou F, Wong KH, Zhong C, Dong Y, Gao S. Can pluripotent/multipotent stem cells reverse Parkinson's disease progression? Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1210447. [PMID: 38356648 PMCID: PMC10864507 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1210447] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by continuous and selective degeneration or death of dopamine neurons in the midbrain, leading to dysfunction of the nigrostriatal neural circuits. Current clinical treatments for PD include drug treatment and surgery, which provide short-term relief of symptoms but are associated with many side effects and cannot reverse the progression of PD. Pluripotent/multipotent stem cells possess a self-renewal capacity and the potential to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons. Transplantation of pluripotent/multipotent stem cells or dopaminergic neurons derived from these cells is a promising strategy for the complete repair of damaged neural circuits in PD. This article reviews and summarizes the current preclinical/clinical treatments for PD, their efficacies, and the advantages/disadvantages of various stem cells, including pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, to provide a detailed overview of how these cells can be applied in the treatment of PD, as well as the challenges and bottlenecks that need to be overcome in future translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongkang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Evaluation and Sports Intervention, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangtian Meng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wai-Yin Cheng
- Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhichao Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Keqin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianfang Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Eighth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ka-Hing Wong
- Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Dong
- Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Evaluation and Sports Intervention, Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shane Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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Mungenast L, Nieminen R, Gaiser C, Faia-Torres AB, Rühe J, Suter-Dick L. Electrospun decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds promote the regeneration of injured neurons. BIOMATERIALS AND BIOSYSTEMS 2023; 11:100081. [PMID: 37427248 PMCID: PMC10329103 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbiosy.2023.100081] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic injury to the spinal cord (SCI) causes the transection of neurons, formation of a lesion cavity, and remodeling of the microenvironment by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and scar formation leading to a regeneration-prohibiting environment. Electrospun fiber scaffolds have been shown to simulate the ECM and increase neural alignment and neurite outgrowth contributing to a growth-permissive matrix. In this work, electrospun ECM-like fibers providing biochemical and topological cues are implemented into a scaffold to represent an oriented biomaterial suitable for the alignment and migration of neural cells in order to improve spinal cord regeneration. The successfully decellularized spinal cord ECM (dECM), with no visible cell nuclei and dsDNA content < 50 ng/mg tissue, showed preserved ECM components, such as glycosaminoglycans and collagens. Serving as the biomaterial for 3D printer-assisted electrospinning, highly aligned and randomly distributed dECM fiber scaffolds (< 1 µm fiber diameter) were fabricated. The scaffolds were cytocompatible and supported the viability of a human neural cell line (SH-SY5Y) for 14 days. Cells were selectively differentiated into neurons, as confirmed by immunolabeling of specific cell markers (ChAT, Tubulin ß), and followed the orientation given by the dECM scaffolds. After generating a lesion site on the cell-scaffold model, cell migration was observed and compared to reference poly-ε-caprolactone fiber scaffolds. The aligned dECM fiber scaffold promoted the fastest and most efficient lesion closure, indicating superior cell guiding capabilities of dECM-based scaffolds. The strategy of combining decellularized tissues with controlled deposition of fibers to optimize biochemical and topographical cues opens the way for clinically relevant central nervous system scaffolding solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Mungenast
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences FHNW, Hofackerstrasse 30, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland
| | - Ronya Nieminen
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences FHNW, Hofackerstrasse 30, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland
| | - Carine Gaiser
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences FHNW, Hofackerstrasse 30, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland
| | - Ana Bela Faia-Torres
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences FHNW, Hofackerstrasse 30, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Rühe
- Department of Microsystems Engineering, IMTEK, University of Freiburg, Freiburg 79110, Germany
| | - Laura Suter-Dick
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, University of Applied Sciences FHNW, Hofackerstrasse 30, Muttenz 4132, Switzerland
- SCAHT: Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Missionsstrasse 64, Basel 4055, Switzerland
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Wang LL, Zhang CL. Therapeutic Potential of PTBP1 Inhibition, If Any, Is Not Attributed to Glia-to-Neuron Conversion. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:1-15. [PMID: 36750409 PMCID: PMC10404630 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-092822-083410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
A holy grail of regenerative medicine is to replenish the cells that are lost due to disease. The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) has, however, largely lost such a regenerative ability. An emerging strategy for the generation of new neurons is through glia-to-neuron (GtN) conversion in vivo, mainly accomplished by the regulation of fate-determining factors. When inhibited, PTBP1, a factor involved in RNA biology, was reported to induce rapid and efficient GtN conversion in multiple regions of the adult CNS. Remarkably, PTBP1 inhibition was also claimed to greatly improve behaviors of mice with neurological diseases or aging. These phenomenal claims, if confirmed, would constitute a significant advancement in regenerative medicine. Unfortunately, neither GtN conversion nor therapeutic potential via PTBP1 inhibition was validated by the results of multiple subsequent replication studies with stringent methods. Here we review these controversial studies and conclude with recommendations for examining GtN conversion in vivo and future investigations of PTBP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei-Lei Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA;
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA;
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6
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Fu XD, Mobley WC. Therapeutic Potential of PTB Inhibition Through Converting Glial Cells to Neurons in the Brain. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:145-165. [PMID: 37428606 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-083022-113120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Cell replacement therapy represents a promising approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Contrary to the common addition strategy to generate new neurons from glia by overexpressing a lineage-specific transcription factor(s), a recent study introduced a subtraction strategy by depleting a single RNA-binding protein, Ptbp1, to convert astroglia to neurons not only in vitro but also in the brain. Given its simplicity, multiple groups have attempted to validate and extend this attractive approach but have met with difficulty in lineage tracing newly induced neurons from mature astrocytes, raising the possibility of neuronal leakage as an alternative explanation for apparent astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. This review focuses on the debate over this critical issue. Importantly, multiple lines of evidence suggest that Ptbp1 depletion can convert a selective subpopulation of glial cells into neurons and, via this and other mechanisms, reverse deficits in a Parkinson's disease model, emphasizing the importance of future efforts in exploring this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Dong Fu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China;
| | - William C Mobley
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA;
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Shi K, Liang C, Huang X, Wang S, Chen J, Cheng F, Wang C, Ying L, Pan Z, Zhang Y, Shu J, Yang B, Wang J, Xia K, Zhou X, Li H, Li F, Tao Y, Chen Q. Collagen Niches Affect Direct Transcriptional Conversion toward Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells via Actomyosin Contractility. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2201824. [PMID: 36165230 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201824] [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: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cellular niches play fundamental roles in regulating cellular behaviors. However, the effect of niches on direct converted cells remains unexplored. In the present study, the specific combination of transcription factors is first identified to directly acquire induced nucleus pulposus-like cells (iNPLCs). Next, tunable physical properties of collagen niches are fabricated based on various crosslinking degrees. Collagen niches significantly affect actomyosin cytoskeleton and then influence the maturation of iNPLCs. Using gain- and loss of function approaches, the appropriate physical states of collagen niches are found to significantly enhance the maturation of iNPLCs through actomyosin contractility. Moreover, in a rat model of degenerative disc diseases, iNPLCs with collagen niches are transplanted into the lesion to achieve significant improvements. As a result, overexpression of transcription factors in human dermal fibroblasts are efficiently converted into iNPLCs and the optimal collagen niches affect cellular cytoskeleton and then facilitate iNPLCs maturation toward human nucleus pulposus cells. These findings encourage more in-depth studies toward the interactions of niches and direct conversion, which would contribute to the development of direct conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesi Shi
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Chengzhen Liang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Xianpeng Huang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Shaoke Wang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Jiangjie Chen
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Feng Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Chenggui Wang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Ying
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Taizhou Hospital Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, Zhejiang Province, 317000, P. R. China
| | - Zhaoqi Pan
- The School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Yuang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Jiawei Shu
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Jingkai Wang
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Kaishun Xia
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Fangcai Li
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Yiqing Tao
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Qixin Chen
- Department of Orthopedics Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine Orthopedics Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Motor System Disease Research and Precision Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Clinical Research Center of Motor System Disease of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000, P. R. China
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Yang R, Pan J, Wang Y, Xia P, Tai M, Jiang Z, Chen G. Application and prospects of somatic cell reprogramming technology for spinal cord injury treatment. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1005399. [PMID: 36467604 PMCID: PMC9712200 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1005399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological trauma that is challenging to treat. After SCI, many neurons in the injured area die due to necrosis or apoptosis, and astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia and other non-neuronal cells become dysfunctional, hindering the repair of the injured spinal cord. Corrective surgery and biological, physical and pharmacological therapies are commonly used treatment modalities for SCI; however, no current therapeutic strategies can achieve complete recovery. Somatic cell reprogramming is a promising technology that has gradually become a feasible therapeutic approach for repairing the injured spinal cord. This revolutionary technology can reprogram fibroblasts, astrocytes, NG2 cells and neural progenitor cells into neurons or oligodendrocytes for spinal cord repair. In this review, we provide an overview of the transcription factors, genes, microRNAs (miRNAs), small molecules and combinations of these factors that can mediate somatic cell reprogramming to repair the injured spinal cord. Although many challenges and questions related to this technique remain, we believe that the beneficial effect of somatic cell reprogramming provides new ideas for achieving functional recovery after SCI and a direction for the development of treatments for SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riyun Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jingying Pan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yankai Wang
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Panhui Xia
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mingliang Tai
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhihao Jiang
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Center for Basic Medical Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and the Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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9
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Jung GA, Kim JA, Park HW, Lee H, Chang MS, Cho KO, Song BW, Kim HJ, Kwon YK, Oh IH. Induction of Nanog in neural progenitor cells for adaptive regeneration of ischemic brain. Exp Mol Med 2022; 54:1955-1966. [PMID: 36376495 PMCID: PMC9722910 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-022-00880-3] [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: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
NANOG plays a key role in cellular plasticity and the acquisition of the stem cell state during reprogramming, but its role in the regenerative process remains unclear. Here, we show that the induction of NANOG in neuronal cells is necessary for the physiological initiation of neuronal regeneration in response to ischemic stress. Specifically, we found that NANOG was preferentially expressed in undifferentiated neuronal cells, and forced expression of Nanog in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) promoted their self-renewing expansion both in ex-vivo slice cultures and in vitro limiting dilution analysis. Notably, the upstream region of the Nanog gene contains sequence motifs for hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). Therefore, cerebral neurons exposed to hypoxia significantly upregulated NANOG expression selectively in primitive (CD133+) cells, but not in mature cells, leading to the expansion of NPCs. Notably, up to 80% of the neuronal expansion induced by hypoxia was attributed to NANOG-expressing neuronal cells, whereas knockdown during hypoxia abolished this expansion and was accompanied by the downregulation of other pluripotency-related genes. Moreover, the number of NANOG-expressing neuronal cells were transiently increased in response to ischemic insult, predominantly in the infarct area of brain regions undergoing neurogenesis, but not in non-neurogenic loci. Together, these findings reveal a functional effect of NANOG-induction for the initiation of adaptive neuronal regeneration among heterogeneous NPC subsets, pointing to cellular plasticity as a potential link between regeneration and reprogramming processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyung-Ah Jung
- grid.411947.e0000 0004 0470 4224Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center & Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-A Kim
- grid.411947.e0000 0004 0470 4224Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center & Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwan-Woo Park
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Oral Anatomy, Dental Research Institute & School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea ,grid.411143.20000 0000 8674 9741Present Address: Department of Cell Biology, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyemi Lee
- grid.289247.20000 0001 2171 7818Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mi-Sook Chang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Department of Oral Anatomy, Dental Research Institute & School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung-Ok Cho
- grid.411947.e0000 0004 0470 4224Department of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Catholic Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byeong-Wook Song
- grid.411199.50000 0004 0470 5702College of Medicine, Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, 25601 Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Kim
- grid.289247.20000 0001 2171 7818Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunhee Kim Kwon
- grid.289247.20000 0001 2171 7818Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Il-Hoan Oh
- grid.411947.e0000 0004 0470 4224Catholic High-Performance Cell Therapy Center & Department of Medical Life Science, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea ,Institute for Regenerative Medical Research, StemMeditech Inc., Seoul, Korea
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10
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Abstract
The efficacy of implanted biomaterials is largely dependent on the response of the host's immune and stromal cells. Severe foreign body response (FBR) can impede the integration of the implant into the host tissue and compromise the intended mechanical and biochemical function. Many features of FBR, including late-stage fibrotic encapsulation of implants, parallel the formation of fibrotic scar tissue after tissue injury. Regenerative organisms like zebrafish and salamanders can avoid fibrosis after injury entirely, but FBR in these research organisms is rarely investigated because their immune competence is much lower than humans. The recent characterization of a regenerative mammal, the spiny mouse (Acomys), has inspired us to take a closer look at cellular regulation in regenerative organisms across the animal kingdom for insights into avoiding FBR in humans. Here, we highlight how major features of regeneration, such as blastema formation, macrophage polarization, and matrix composition, can be modulated across a range of regenerative research organisms to elucidate common features that may be harnessed to minimize FBR. Leveraging a deeper understanding of regenerative biology for biomaterial design may help to reduce FBR and improve device integration and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunaina Sapru
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Michele N Dill
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Chelsey S Simmons
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States.,J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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11
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Wang T, Liao JC, Wang X, Wang QS, Wan KY, Yang YY, He Q, Zhang JX, Chen G, Li W. Unexpected BrdU inhibition on astrocyte-to-neuron conversion. Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:1526-1534. [PMID: 34916438 PMCID: PMC8771121 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.325747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is a halogenated pyrimidine that can be incorporated into newly synthesized DNA during the S phase of the cell cycle. BrdU is widely used in fate-mapping studies of embryonic and adult neurogenesis to identify newborn neurons, however side effects on neural stem cells and their progeny have been reported. In vivo astrocyte-to-neuron (AtN) conversion is a new approach for generating newborn neurons by directly converting endogenous astrocytes into neurons. The BrdU-labeling strategy has been used to trace astrocyte-converted neurons, but whether BrdU has any effect on the AtN conversion is unknown. Here, while conducting a NeuroD1-mediated AtN conversion study using BrdU to label dividing reactive astrocytes following ischemic injury, we accidentally discovered that BrdU inhibited AtN conversion. We initially found a gradual reduction in BrdU-labeled astrocytes during NeuroD1-mediated AtN conversion in the mouse cortex. Although most NeuroD1-infected astrocytes were converted into neurons, the number of BrdU-labeled neurons was surprisingly low. To exclude the possibility that this BrdU inhibition was caused by the ischemic injury, we conducted an in vitro AtN conversion study by overexpressing NeuroD1 in cultured cortical astrocytes in the presence or absence of BrdU. Surprisingly, we also found a significantly lower conversion rate and a smaller number of converted neurons in the BrdU-treated group compared with the untreated group. These results revealed an unexpected inhibitory effect of BrdU on AtN conversion, suggesting more caution is needed when using BrdU in AtN conversion studies and in data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Liao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qing-Song Wang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kai-Ying Wan
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yi-Yi Yang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Qing He
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jia-Xuan Zhang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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12
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Neuroregenerative gene therapy to treat temporal lobe epilepsy in a rat model. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 208:102198. [PMID: 34852273 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common drug-resistant epilepsy associated with abundant cell death in the hippocampus. Here, we develop a novel gene therapy-mediated cell therapy that regenerates GABAergic neurons using internal hippocampal astrocytes to suppress seizure activity in a rat TLE model. We discovered that TLE-induced reactive astrocytes in the hippocampal CA1 region can be efficiently converted into GABAergic neurons after overexpressing a neural transcription factor NeuroD1. The astrocyte-converted neurons showed typical markers of GABAergic interneurons, fired action potentials, and formed functional synaptic connections with other neurons. Following NeuroD1-mediated astrocyte-to-neuron conversion, the number of hippocampal interneurons was significantly increased, and the spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) activity was significantly decreased. Moreover, NeuroD1 gene therapy treatment rescued total neuronal loss in the CA1 region and ameliorated the cognitive and mood dysfunctions in the TLE rat model. These results suggest that regeneration of GABAergic interneurons through gene therapy approach may provide a novel therapeutic intervention to treat drug-resistant TLE.
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13
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Lentini C, d'Orange M, Marichal N, Trottmann MM, Vignoles R, Foucault L, Verrier C, Massera C, Raineteau O, Conzelmann KK, Rival-Gervier S, Depaulis A, Berninger B, Heinrich C. Reprogramming reactive glia into interneurons reduces chronic seizure activity in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:2104-2121.e10. [PMID: 34592167 PMCID: PMC8657801 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Reprogramming brain-resident glial cells into clinically relevant induced neurons (iNs) is an emerging strategy toward replacing lost neurons and restoring lost brain functions. A fundamental question is now whether iNs can promote functional recovery in pathological contexts. We addressed this question in the context of therapy-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), which is associated with hippocampal seizures and degeneration of hippocampal GABAergic interneurons. Using a MTLE mouse model, we show that retrovirus-driven expression of Ascl1 and Dlx2 in reactive hippocampal glia in situ, or in cortical astroglia grafted in the epileptic hippocampus, causes efficient reprogramming into iNs exhibiting hallmarks of interneurons. These induced interneurons functionally integrate into epileptic networks and establish GABAergic synapses onto dentate granule cells. MTLE mice with GABAergic iNs show a significant reduction in both the number and cumulative duration of spontaneous recurrent hippocampal seizures. Thus glia-to-neuron reprogramming is a potential disease-modifying strategy to reduce seizures in therapy-resistant epilepsy. Retroviruses target reactive hippocampal glia proliferating in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy Ascl1 and Dlx2 reprogram reactive glia into GABAergic interneurons in the epileptic hippocampus Induced interneurons establish GABAergic synapses onto dentate granule cells Induced interneurons reduce chronic epileptic activity in the hippocampus
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Lentini
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Marie d'Orange
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Marie-Madeleine Trottmann
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Rory Vignoles
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Louis Foucault
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Charlotte Verrier
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Céline Massera
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Olivier Raineteau
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Karl-Klaus Conzelmann
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute Virology, Medical Faculty & Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sylvie Rival-Gervier
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, INRAE, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, CSC USC1361, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Antoine Depaulis
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1216, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christophe Heinrich
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France.
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14
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Isaacson A, Spagnoli FM. Pancreatic cell fate specification: insights into developmental mechanisms and their application for lineage reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 70:32-39. [PMID: 34062490 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders, which results from insufficient functional pancreatic β-cell mass either due to the autoimmune destruction of insulin producing β-cells, or their death or de-differentiation as compensation for insulin resistance. The ability to reprogram cell types within close developmental proximity to β-cells offers a strategy to replenish β-cell mass and a future possible treatment of diabetes. Here, we review recent advances in the fields of pancreas development and lineage reprogramming. We also probe the possibility of using reprogrammed cells as an approach by which to further understand developmental mechanisms, in particular roadblocks to changing cell identity. Finally, we highlight fundamental challenges that need to be overcome to advance lineage reprogramming for generating pancreatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Isaacson
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Francesca M Spagnoli
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, Floor 28, Tower Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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15
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Almeida N, Chung MWH, Drudi EM, Engquist EN, Hamrud E, Isaacson A, Tsang VSK, Watt FM, Spagnoli FM. Employing core regulatory circuits to define cell identity. EMBO J 2021; 40:e106785. [PMID: 33934382 PMCID: PMC8126924 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020106785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interplay between extrinsic signaling and downstream gene networks controls the establishment of cell identity during development and its maintenance in adult life. Advances in next-generation sequencing and single-cell technologies have revealed additional layers of complexity in cell identity. Here, we review our current understanding of transcription factor (TF) networks as key determinants of cell identity. We discuss the concept of the core regulatory circuit as a set of TFs and interacting factors that together define the gene expression profile of the cell. We propose the core regulatory circuit as a comprehensive conceptual framework for defining cellular identity and discuss its connections to cell function in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Almeida
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Matthew W H Chung
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Elena M Drudi
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Elise N Engquist
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Eva Hamrud
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Abigail Isaacson
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Victoria S K Tsang
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Fiona M Watt
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Francesca M Spagnoli
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative MedicineGuy’s HospitalKing’s College LondonLondonUK
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16
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Tan DS, Chen Y, Gao Y, Bednarz A, Wei Y, Malik V, Ho DHH, Weng M, Ho SY, Srivastava Y, Velychko S, Yang X, Fan L, Kim J, Graumann J, Stormo GD, Braun T, Yan J, Schöler HR, Jauch R. Directed Evolution of an Enhanced POU Reprogramming Factor for Cell Fate Engineering. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:2854-2868. [PMID: 33720298 PMCID: PMC8233511 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor-driven cell fate engineering in pluripotency induction, transdifferentiation, and forward reprogramming requires efficiency, speed, and maturity for widespread adoption and clinical translation. Here, we used Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc driven pluripotency reprogramming to evaluate methods for enhancing and tailoring cell fate transitions, through directed evolution with iterative screening of pooled mutant libraries and phenotypic selection. We identified an artificially evolved and enhanced POU factor (ePOU) that substantially outperforms wild-type Oct4 in terms of reprogramming speed and efficiency. In contrast to Oct4, not only can ePOU induce pluripotency with Sox2 alone, but it can also do so in the absence of Sox2 in a three-factor ePOU/Klf4/c-Myc cocktail. Biochemical assays combined with genome-wide analyses showed that ePOU possesses a new preference to dimerize on palindromic DNA elements. Yet, the moderate capacity of Oct4 to function as a pioneer factor, its preference to bind octamer DNA and its capability to dimerize with Sox2 and Sox17 proteins remain unchanged in ePOU. Compared with Oct4, ePOU is thermodynamically stabilized and persists longer in reprogramming cells. In consequence, ePOU: 1) differentially activates several genes hitherto not implicated in reprogramming, 2) reveals an unappreciated role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone signaling, and 3) binds a distinct class of retrotransposons. Collectively, these features enable ePOU to accelerate the establishment of the pluripotency network. This demonstrates that the phenotypic selection of novel factor variants from mammalian cells with desired properties is key to advancing cell fate conversions with artificially evolved biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanpu Chen
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Anastasia Bednarz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Yuanjie Wei
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vikas Malik
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Derek Hoi-Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sik Yin Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yogesh Srivastava
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Genetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sergiy Velychko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Xiaoxiao Yang
- Genome Regulation Laboratory, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ligang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Johnny Kim
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Graumann
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Mass Spectrometry Service Group, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Gary D Stormo
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Braun
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodeling, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Jian Yan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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17
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Abstract
In mammals, many organs lack robust regenerative abilities. Lost cells in impaired tissue could potentially be compensated by converting nearby cells in situ through in vivo reprogramming. Small molecule-induced cell reprogramming offers a temporally flexible and non-integrative strategy for altering cell fate, which is, in principle, favorable for in vivo reprogramming in organs with notoriously poor regenerative abilities, such as the brain. Here, we demonstrate that in the adult mouse brain, small molecules can reprogram astrocytes into neurons. The in situ chemically induced neurons resemble endogenous neurons in terms of neuron-specific marker expression, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic connectivity. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of in vivo chemical reprogramming in the adult mouse brain and provides a potential approach for developing neuronal replacement therapies.
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18
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Jiao Y, Liu YW, Chen WG, Liu J. Neuroregeneration and functional recovery after stroke: advancing neural stem cell therapy toward clinical application. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:80-92. [PMID: 32788451 PMCID: PMC7818886 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.286955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a main cause of death and disability worldwide. The ability of the brain to self-repair in the acute and chronic phases after stroke is minimal; however, promising stem cell-based interventions are emerging that may give substantial and possibly complete recovery of brain function after stroke. Many animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that neural stem cells (NSCs) in the central nervous system can orchestrate neurological repair through nerve regeneration, neuron polarization, axon pruning, neurite outgrowth, repair of myelin, and remodeling of the microenvironment and brain networks. Compared with other types of stem cells, NSCs have unique advantages in cell replacement, paracrine action, inflammatory regulation and neuroprotection. Our review summarizes NSC origins, characteristics, therapeutic mechanisms and repair processes, then highlights current research findings and clinical evidence for NSC therapy. These results may be helpful to inform the direction of future stroke research and to guide clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Jiao
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yu-Wan Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Wei-Gong Chen
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Stem Cell Clinical Research Center, National Joint Engineering Laboratory, Regenerative Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University; Dalian Innovation Institute of Stem Cells and Precision Medicine, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
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19
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Ruzittu S, Willnow D, Spagnoli FM. Direct Lineage Reprogramming: Harnessing Cell Plasticity between Liver and Pancreas. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a035626. [PMID: 31767653 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a035626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Direct lineage reprogramming of abundant and accessible cells into therapeutically useful cell types holds tremendous potential in regenerative medicine. To date, a number of different cell types have been generated by lineage reprogramming methods, including cells from the neural, cardiac, hepatic, and pancreatic lineages. The success of this strategy relies on developmental biology and the knowledge of cell-fate-defining transcriptional networks. Hepatocytes represent a prime target for β cell conversion for numerous reasons, including close developmental origin, accessibility, and regenerative potential. We present here an overview of pancreatic and hepatic development, with a particular focus on the mechanisms underlying the divergence between the two cell lineages. Additionally, we discuss to what extent this lineage relationship can be exploited in efforts to reprogram one cell type into the other and whether such an approach may provide a suitable strategy for regenerative therapies of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Ruzittu
- Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), D-13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - David Willnow
- Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca M Spagnoli
- Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
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20
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Gong T, Hu Q, Nie X, Liu T, Wang H. Periodic Dynamic Regulation of MSCs Differentiation on Redox-Sensitive Elastic Switched Substrates. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2020; 3:3612-3620. [DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.0c00245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Gong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, P. R. China
| | - Qinghua Hu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, P. R. China
| | - Xiaobo Nie
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, P. R. China
| | - Tao Liu
- Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Hongqing Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, P. R. China
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21
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Flitsch LJ, Laupman KE, Brüstle O. Transcription Factor-Based Fate Specification and Forward Programming for Neural Regeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:121. [PMID: 32508594 PMCID: PMC7251072 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, in vitro generation of donor cells for brain repair has been dominated by the application of extrinsic growth factors and morphogens. Recent advances in cell engineering strategies such as reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells and direct cell fate conversion have impressively demonstrated the feasibility to manipulate cell identities by the overexpression of cell fate-determining transcription factors. These strategies are now increasingly implemented for transcription factor-guided differentiation of neural precursors and forward programming of pluripotent stem cells toward specific neural subtypes. This review covers major achievements, pros and cons, as well as future prospects of transcription factor-based cell fate specification and the applicability of these approaches for the generation of donor cells for brain repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea J Flitsch
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Karen E Laupman
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Brüstle
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn Medical Faculty and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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22
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Peeler DJ, Luera N, Horner PJ, Pun SH, Sellers DL. Polyplex transfection from intracerebroventricular delivery is not significantly affected by traumatic brain injury. J Control Release 2020; 322:149-156. [PMID: 32198024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.03.025] [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: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is largely non-preventable and often kills or permanently disables its victims. Because current treatments for TBI merely ameliorate secondary effects of the initial injury like swelling and hemorrhaging, strategies for the induction of neuronal regeneration are desperately needed. Recent discoveries regarding the TBI-responsive migratory behavior and differentiation potential of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) found in the subventricular zone (SVZ) have prompted strategies targeting gene therapies to these cells to enhance neurogenesis after TBI. We have previously shown that plasmid polyplexes can non-virally transfect SVZ NPCs when directly injected in the lateral ventricles of uninjured mice. We describe the first reported intracerebroventricular transfections mediated by polymeric gene carriers in a murine TBI model and investigate the anatomical parameters that dictate transfection through this route of administration. Using both luciferase and GFP plasmid transfections, we show that the time delay between injury and polyplex injection directly impacts the magnitude of transfection efficiency, but that overall trends in the location of transfection are not affected by injury. Confocal microscopy of quantum dot-labeled plasmid uptake in vivo reveals association between our polymers and negatively charged NG2 chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans of the SVZ extracellular matrix. We further validate that glycosaminoglycans but not sulfate groups are required for polyplex uptake and transfection in vitro. These studies demonstrate that non-viral gene delivery is impacted by proteoglycan interactions and suggest the need for improved polyplex targeting materials that penetrate brain extracellular matrix to increase transfection efficiency in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Peeler
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Nicholas Luera
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Philip J Horner
- Center for Neuroregeneration and Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Suzie H Pun
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
| | - Drew L Sellers
- Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
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23
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Zarei-Kheirabadi M, Vaccaro AR, Rahimi-Movaghar V, Kiani S, Baharvand H. An Overview of Extrinsic and Intrinsic Mechanisms Involved in Astrocyte Development in the Central Nervous System. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:266-280. [PMID: 31847709 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, our knowledge about the function of the central nervous system (CNS) and astrocytes has improved, and research has confirmed the key roles that astrocytes play in the physiology and pathology of the CNS. Here, we reviewed the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that regulate the development of astrocytes, which are generated from radial glial cells. These regulatory systems modulate various signaling pathways and transcription factors. In this review, four stages of astrocyte development-specification (patterning and switch), migration, proliferation, and maturation, are discussed. In astrocyte patterning, VA1-VA3 domains create the astrocyte subtypes by differential expression of Slit1 and Reelin in the spinal cord. In the brain, patterning creates several astrocyte subtypes by different organizing centers. At the switch step, the janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway governs the transition of neurogenesis to gliogenesis. Bone marrow protein and Notch pathways are also important players of the progliogenic switch. Intrinsic regulation is mediated by DNA methylation transferases, and polycomb group complexes can intrinsically affect the development of astrocytes. In the next stage, these cells proliferate and migrate to their final location. Astrocyte maturation is accomplished through the development of cellular processes, molecular markers, and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Zarei-Kheirabadi
- Department of Brain, Cognitive Sciences and Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alexander R Vaccaro
- Department of Orthopedics, Rothman Orthopedic Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar
- Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Kiani
- Department of Brain, Cognitive Sciences and Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
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24
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Aravantinou-Fatorou K, Thomaidou D. In Vitro Direct Reprogramming of Mouse and Human Astrocytes to Induced Neurons. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2155:41-61. [PMID: 32474866 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0655-1_4] [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] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Direct neuronal reprogramming, rewiring the epigenetic and transcriptional network of a differentiated cell type to neuron, apart from being a very promising approach for the treatment of brain injury and neurodegeneration, also offers a prime opportunity to investigate the molecular underpinnings of neuronal cell fate determination, as the precise molecular mechanisms that establish neuronal fate and diversity at the transcriptional and epigenetic level are incompletely understood. Recent studies from a number of groups, including ours, have shown that astrocytes can be directly reprogrammed into functional neurons in vitro and in vivo following ectopic overexpression of combinations of transcription factors, neurogenic proteins, miRNAs, and small chemical molecules.In this chapter we describe the protocols for in vitro converting primary cortical astrocytes of mouse and human origin to induced neurons, through forced expression of two neurogenic molecules, either each one alone or in combination: the master regulatory bHLH proneural transcription factor NEUROGENIN-2 (NEUROG2) and the neurogenic protein CEND1. Forced expression of each one of the two neurogenic proteins in primary astrocytes via retroviral gene transfer results in their direct conversion to subtype-specific induced neurons, while simultaneous coexpression of both molecules drives them predominantly toward acquisition of a neural precursor cell (NPC) state. Although mouse and human astrocytes exhibit differences in their reprogramming rate and particular characteristics, they can both get efficiently in vitro transdifferentiated to NPCs and induced neurons upon NEUROG2 or/and CEND1 forced expression using the reprogramming protocols described in the chapter, presenting valuable cellular platforms for mechanistic studies and in vivo applications to restore neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Aravantinou-Fatorou
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Thomaidou
- Neural Stem Cells and Neuroimaging Group, Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
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25
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Song Z, Zhang JH. Recent Advances in Stem Cell Research in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Stem Cells Dev 2019; 29:178-186. [PMID: 31752600 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of hemorrhagic stroke with significant morbidity and mortality, and it often leads to poor clinical outcome. Although great efforts have been made toward animal and clinical studies, optimal therapy of SAH remains a challenge for scientists and clinicians. Increasing evidence suggests that stem-cell-based therapies may provide innovative approaches for treatment of SAH-related disability. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in stem cell research in SAH. Neuroregeneration after SAH could be conducted by the activation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs), transplantation of external stem cells, or reprogramming non-neuronal cell to neurons. The potential mechanism and signaling pathways, as well as the efficiency and safety of these stem cell treatments, were discussed in detail. Although lots of challenges remain for translating the laboratory findings and technologies into clinical therapies, these research studies provided the foundation and guidance for using different resources of stem cells as a brain repair strategy after SAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xingtai Third Hospital, Xingtai, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - John H Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.,Department of Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.,Department of Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
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26
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Zarei-Kheirabadi M, Hesaraki M, Kiani S, Baharvand H. In vivo conversion of rat astrocytes into neuronal cells through neural stem cells in injured spinal cord with a single zinc-finger transcription factor. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:380. [PMID: 31842989 PMCID: PMC6916443 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1448-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in glial scar formation and irreversible neuronal loss, which finally leads to functional impairments and long-term disability. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the ectopic expression of Zfp521 reprograms fibroblasts and astrocytes into induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). However, it remains unclear whether treatment with Zfp521 also affects endogenous astrocytes, thus promoting further functional recovery following SCI. METHODS Rat astrocytes were transdifferentiated into neural stem cells in vitro by ZFP521 or Sox2. Then, ZFP521 was applied to the spinal cord injury site of a rat. Transduction, real-time PCR, immunohistofluorescence, and function assessments were performed at 6 weeks post-transduction to evaluate improvement and in vivo lineage reprogramming of astrocytes. RESULTS Here, we show that Zfp521 is more efficient in reprogramming cultured astrocytes compared with Sox2. In the injured spinal cord of an adult rat, resident astrocytes can be reprogrammed into neurons through a progenitor stage by Zfp521. Importantly, this treatment improves the functional abilities of the rats as evaluated by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and further by calculation of its subscores. There was enhanced locomotor activity in the hind limbs, step length, toe spread, foot length, and paw area. In addition, motor evoked potential recordings demonstrated the functional integrity of the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS These results have indicated that the generation of iNSCs or neurons from endogenous astrocytes by in situ reprogramming might be a potential strategy for SCI repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Zarei-Kheirabadi
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hesaraki
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Sahar Kiani
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran.
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran. .,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, 1461968151, Iran.
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27
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Pereira M, Birtele M, Rylander Ottosson D. Direct reprogramming into interneurons: potential for brain repair. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:3953-3967. [PMID: 31250034 PMCID: PMC6785593 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03193-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The brain tissue has only a limited capacity for generating new neurons. Therefore, to treat neurological diseases, there is a need of other cell sources for brain repair. Different sources of cells have been subject of intense research over the years, including cells from primary tissue, stem cell-derived cells and reprogrammed cells. As an alternative, direct reprogramming of resident brain cells into neurons is a recent approach that could provide an attractive method for treating brain injuries or diseases as it uses the patient's own cells for generating novel neurons inside the brain. In vivo reprogramming is still in its early stages but holds great promise as an option for cell therapy. To date, both inhibitory and excitatory neurons have been obtained via in vivo reprogramming, but the precise phenotype or functionality of these cells has not been analysed in detail in most of the studies. Recent data shows that in vivo reprogrammed neurons are able to functionally mature and integrate into the existing brain circuitry, and compose interneuron phenotypes that seem to correlate to their endogenous counterparts. Interneurons are of particular importance as they are essential in physiological brain function and when disturbed lead to several neurological disorders. In this review, we describe a comprehensive overview of the existing studies involving brain repair, including in vivo reprogramming, with a focus on interneurons, along with an overview on current efforts to generate interneurons for cell therapy for a number of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pereira
- Department of Experimental Medical Science and Lund Stem Cell Center BMC, Lund University, 22141, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcella Birtele
- Department of Experimental Medical Science and Lund Stem Cell Center BMC, Lund University, 22141, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniella Rylander Ottosson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science and Lund Stem Cell Center BMC, Lund University, 22141, Lund, Sweden.
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28
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Yavarpour‐Bali H, Nakhaei‐Nejad M, Yazdi A, Ghasemi‐Kasman M. Direct conversion of somatic cells towards oligodendroglial lineage cells: A novel strategy for enhancement of myelin repair. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:2023-2036. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Azadeh Yazdi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi‐Kasman
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Health Research Institute Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran
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29
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Del Sol A, Okawa S, Ravichandran S. Computational Strategies for Niche-Dependent Cell Conversion to Assist Stem Cell Therapy. Trends Biotechnol 2019; 37:687-696. [PMID: 30782480 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The field of regenerative medicine has blossomed in recent decades. However, the ultimate goal of tissue regeneration - replacing damaged or aged cells with healthy functioning cells - still faces a number of challenges. In particular, better understanding of the role of the cellular niche in shaping stem cell phenotype and conversion would aid in improving current protocols for stem cell therapies. In this regard, the implementation of novel computational approaches that consider the niche effect on stem cells would be valuable. Here we discuss current problems in stem cell transplantation and rejuvenation, and we propose computational strategies to control niche-dependent cell conversion to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Del Sol
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg,7 Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; CIC bioGUNE,Bizkaia Technology Park, 801 Building, 48160 Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700 Dolgoprudny, Russia.
| | - Satoshi Okawa
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg,7 Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
| | - Srikanth Ravichandran
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg,7 Avenue des Hauts-Fourneaux, Esch-sur-Alzette, L-4362 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
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30
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Time-Lapse Video Microscopy and Single Cell Tracking to Study Neural Cell Behavior In Vitro. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2150:183-194. [PMID: 31020634 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2019_219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms controlling the behavior of cell populations with regenerative potential is the first step to design effective therapeutic strategies for many diseases. However, a precise description of the biological events involved, such as proliferation, differentiation, cell fate decisions, migration, or viability, may be hampered by the classical use of experiments based on end-point analysis. By contrast, live imaging and single cell tracking provides researchers with an accurate readout of these features in cells throughout an experiment. Here, we describe a protocol to apply time-lapse video microscopy and post-processing of the data to study critical aspects of the biology and the lineage progression of multiple neural populations.
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31
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Guimarães RPDM, Landeira BS, Coelho DM, Golbert DCF, Silveira MS, Linden R, de Melo Reis RA, Costa MR. Evidence of Müller Glia Conversion Into Retina Ganglion Cells Using Neurogenin2. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:410. [PMID: 30483060 PMCID: PMC6240664 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Degenerative retinopathies are the leading causes of irreversible visual impairment in the elderly, affecting hundreds of millions of patients. Müller glia cells (MGC), the main type of glia found in the vertebrate retina, can resume proliferation in the rodent adult injured retina but contribute weakly to tissue repair when compared to zebrafish retina. However, postnatal and adult mouse MGC can be genetically reprogrammed through the expression of the transcription factor (TF) Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) into induced neurons (iNs), displaying key hallmarks of photoreceptors, bipolar and amacrine cells, which may contribute to regenerate the damaged retina. Here, we show that the TF neurogenin 2 (NEUROG2) is also sufficient to lineage-reprogram postnatal mouse MGC into iNs. The efficiency of MGC lineage conversion by NEUROG2 is similar to that observed after expression of ASCL1 and both TFs induce the generation of functionally active iNs. Treatment of MGC cultures with EGF and FGF2 prior to Neurog2 or Ascl1 expression enhances reprogramming efficiencies, what can be at least partially explained by an increase in the frequency of MGCs expressing sex determining region Y (SRY)-box 2 (SOX2). Transduction of either Neurog2 or Ascl1 led to the upregulation of key retina neuronal genes in MGC-derived iNs, but only NEUROG2 induced a consistent increase in the expression of putative retinal ganglion cell (RGC) genes. Moreover, in vivo electroporation of Neurog2 in late progenitors from the neonatal rat retina, which are transcriptionally similar to MGCs, also induced a shift in the generation of retinal cell subtypes, favoring neuronal differentiation at the expense of MGCs and resuming the generation of RGCs. Altogether, our data indicate that NEUROG2 induces lineage conversion of postnatal rodent MGCs into RGC-like iNs in vitro and resumes the generation of this neuronal type from late progenitors of the retina in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Pereira de Melo Guimarães
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.,Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Lab Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Marques Coelho
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.,Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment, IMD, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana S Silveira
- Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Lab Neurogenesis, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ricardo A de Melo Reis
- Lab Neurochemistry, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos R Costa
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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32
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Lumelsky N, O'Hayre M, Chander P, Shum L, Somerman MJ. Autotherapies: Enhancing Endogenous Healing and Regeneration. Trends Mol Med 2018; 24:919-930. [PMID: 30213702 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The promise of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to reduce the burden of disease and improve quality of life are widely acknowledged. Traditional tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches rely on generation of tissue constructs in vitro for subsequent transplantation or injection of exogenously manipulated cells into a host. While promising, few such therapies have succeeded in clinical practice. Here, we propose that recent advances in stem cell and developmental biology, immunology, bioengineering, and material sciences, position us to develop a new generation of in vivo regenerative medicine therapies, which we term autotherapies. Autotherapies are strategies based on optimizing endogenous tissue responses and capitalizing on manipulation of stem cell niches and endogenous tissue microenvironments to enhance tissue healing and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadya Lumelsky
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-4878, USA.
| | - Morgan O'Hayre
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-4878, USA
| | - Preethi Chander
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-4878, USA
| | - Lillian Shum
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-4878, USA
| | - Martha J Somerman
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892-4878, USA
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33
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Cell reprogramming approaches in gene- and cell-based therapies for Parkinson's disease. J Control Release 2018; 286:114-124. [PMID: 30026082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD multiple pathogenic mechanisms initiate and drive this neurodegenerative process, making the development of effective treatments challenging. To date, PD patients are primarily treated with dopaminergic drugs able to temporarily enhance DA levels, therefore relieving motor symptoms. However, the drawbacks of these therapies including the inability to alter disease progression are constantly supporting the search for alternative treatment approaches. Over the past years efforts have been put into the development of new therapeutic strategies based on the delivery of therapeutic genes using viral vectors or transplantation of DA neurons for cell-based DA replacement. Here, past achievements and recent advances in gene- and cell-based therapies for PD are outlined. We discuss how current gene and cell therapy strategies hold great promise for the treatment of PD and how the use of stem cells and recent developments in cellular reprogramming could contribute to open a new avenue in PD therapy.
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34
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Three-dimensional brain-like microenvironments facilitate the direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into therapeutic neurons. Nat Biomed Eng 2018; 2:522-539. [DOI: 10.1038/s41551-018-0260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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35
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Direct pericyte-to-neuron reprogramming via unfolding of a neural stem cell-like program. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:932-940. [PMID: 29915193 PMCID: PMC6319609 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0168-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of defined transcription factors can force direct cell fate conversion from one lineage to another in the absence of cell division. Several transcription factor cocktails have enabled successful reprogramming of various somatic cell types into induced neurons (iNs) of distinct neurotransmitter phenotype. However, the nature of the intermediate states that drive the reprogramming trajectory towards distinct iN types is largely unknown. Here we show that successful direct reprogramming of adult human brain pericytes into functional iNs by Ascl1 and Sox2 (AS) encompasses transient activation of a neural stem cell-like gene expression program that precedes bifurcation into distinct neuronal lineages. Intriguingly, during this transient state key signaling components relevant for neural induction and neural stem cell maintenance are regulated and functionally contribute to iN reprogramming and maturation. Thus, AS-mediated reprogramming into a broad spectrum of iN types involves the unfolding of a developmental program via neural stem cell-like intermediates.
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36
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Yoo SY, Jeong SN, Kang JI, Lee SW. Chimeric Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Cardiovascular Reprogramming for Ischemic Heart Disease. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:5918-5925. [PMID: 30023931 PMCID: PMC6044635 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b00904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Here, we demonstrated chimeric adeno-associated virus (chimeric AAV), AAV-DJ-mediated cardiovascular reprogramming strategy to generate new cardiomyocytes and limit collagen deposition in cardiac fibroblasts by inducing synergism of chimeric AAV-expressing Gata4, Mef2c, Tbx5 (AAV-GMT)-mediated heart reprogramming and chimeric AAV-expressing thymosin β4 (AAV-Tβ4)-mediated heart regeneration. AAV-GMT promoted a gradual increase in expression of cardiac-specific genes, including Actc1, Gja1, Myh6, Ryr2, and cTnT, with a gradual decrease in expression of a fibrosis-specific gene, procollagen type I and here AAV-Tβ4 help to induce GMT expression, providing a chimeric AAV-mediated therapeutic cell reprogramming strategy for ischemic heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Yoo
- BIO-IT
Foundry Technology Institute, Pusan National
University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Research
Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Nam Jeong
- BIO-IT
Foundry Technology Institute, Pusan National
University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-In Kang
- Research
Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- Control
and Instrumentation Engineering, Korea Maritime
and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Wuk Lee
- Bioengineering,
University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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37
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Xu K, Liu X, Wang Y, Wong C, Song Y. Temporospatial induction of homeodomain gene cut dictates natural lineage reprogramming. eLife 2018; 7:33934. [PMID: 29714689 PMCID: PMC5986271 DOI: 10.7554/elife.33934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how cellular identity naturally interconverts with high efficiency and temporospatial precision is crucial for regenerative medicine. Here, we revealed a natural midgut-to-renal lineage conversion event during Drosophila metamorphosis and identified the evolutionarily-conserved homeodomain protein Cut as a master switch in this process. A steep Wnt/Wingless morphogen gradient intersects with a pulse of steroid hormone ecdysone to induce cut expression in a subset of midgut progenitors and reprogram them into renal progenitors. Molecularly, ecdysone-induced temporal factor Broad physically interacts with cut enhancer-bound Wnt pathway effector TCF/β-catenin and likely bridges the distant enhancer and promoter region of cut through its self-association. Such long-range enhancer-promoter looping could subsequently trigger timely cut transcription. Our results therefore led us to propose an unexpected poising-and-bridging mechanism whereby spatial and temporal cues intersect, likely via chromatin looping, to turn on a master transcription factor and dictate efficient and precise lineage reprogramming. As an embryo develops, an organism transforms from a single cell into an organized collection of different cells, tissues and organs. Regulated by genes and messenger molecules, non-specialized cells known as precursor cells, move, divide and adapt to produce the different cells in the adult body. However, sometimes already-specialized adult cells can acquire a new role in a process known as lineage reprogramming. Finding ways to artificially induce and control lineage reprogramming could be useful in regenerative medicine. This would allow cells to be reprogrammed to replace those that are lost or damaged. So far, scientists have been unable to develop a clear view of how lineage reprogramming happens naturally. Here, Xu et al. identified a cell-conversion event in the developing fruit fly. As the fly larva develops into an adult, a group of cells in the midgut reprogramme to become renal cells – the equivalent to human kidney cells. The experiments revealed that a combination of signals from a cell messenger system important for cell specialization (called Wnt) and the hormone that controls molting in insects, activate a gene called cut, which controls the midgut-to-renal lineage reprogramming. Together, Wnt and the hormone ensure that cut is activated only in a small, specific group of midgut precursor cells at a precise time. The reprogrammed cells then move into the excretory organs, the renal tubes, where they give rise to renal cells. Midgut precursor cells in which cut had been experimentally removed, still traveled into the renal tubes. However, they failed to switch their identity and gave rise to midgut cells instead. Further examination revealed that both Wnt and the ecdysone hormone are needed to activate the cut gene. This is probably achieved by creating loops in the DNA to bring together the two distantly located key regulatory elements of cut gene expression. If this mechanism can be seen in other contexts it may be possible to adapt it for medical purposes. The ability to reprogramme groups of cells with high specificity could transform medicine. It would make it easier for our bodies to regenerate and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodan Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchun Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chouin Wong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Song
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Passaro F, Testa G. Implications of Cellular Aging in Cardiac Reprogramming. Front Cardiovasc Med 2018; 5:43. [PMID: 29755986 PMCID: PMC5935013 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2018.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is characterized by a chronic functional decline of organ systems which leads to tissue dysfunction over time, representing a risk factor for diseases development, including cardiovascular. The aging process occurring in the cardiovascular system involves heart and vessels at molecular and cellular level, with subsequent structural modifications and functional impairment. Several modifications involved in the aging process can be ascribed to cellular senescence, a biological response that limits the proliferation of damaged cells. In physiological conditions, the mechanism of cellular senescence is involved in regulation of tissue homeostasis, remodeling, and repair. However, in some conditions senescence-driven tissue repair may fail, leading to the tissue accumulation of senescent cells which in turn may contribute to tumor promotion, aging, and age-related diseases. Cellular reprogramming processes can reverse several age-associated cell features, such as telomere length, DNA methylation, histone modifications and cell-cycle arrest. As such, induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) can provide models of progeroid and physiologically aged cells to gain insight into the pathogenesis of such conditions, to drive the development of new therapies for premature aging and to further explore the possibility of rejuvenating aged cells. An emerging picture is that the tissue remodeling role of cellular senescence could also be crucial for the outcomes of in vivo reprogramming processes. Experimental evidence has demonstrated that, on one hand, senescence represents a cell-autonomous barrier for a cell candidate to reprogramming, but, on the other hand, it may positively sustain the reprogramming capability of surrounding cells to generate fully proficient tissues. This review fits into this conceptual framework by highlighting the most prominent concepts that characterize aging and reprogramming and discusses how the aging tissue might provide a favorable microenvironment for in vivo cardiac reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Passaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianluca Testa
- Interdepartmental Center for Nanotechnology Research - NanoBem, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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Meas SJ, Zhang CL, Dabdoub A. Reprogramming Glia Into Neurons in the Peripheral Auditory System as a Solution for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Lessons From the Central Nervous System. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:77. [PMID: 29593497 PMCID: PMC5861218 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Disabling hearing loss affects over 5% of the world’s population and impacts the lives of individuals from all age groups. Within the next three decades, the worldwide incidence of hearing impairment is expected to double. Since a leading cause of hearing loss is the degeneration of primary auditory neurons (PANs), the sensory neurons of the auditory system that receive input from mechanosensory hair cells in the cochlea, it may be possible to restore hearing by regenerating PANs. A direct reprogramming approach can be used to convert the resident spiral ganglion glial cells into induced neurons to restore hearing. This review summarizes recent advances in reprogramming glia in the CNS to suggest future steps for regenerating the peripheral auditory system. In the coming years, direct reprogramming of spiral ganglion glial cells has the potential to become one of the leading biological strategies to treat hearing impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Meas
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chun-Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Alain Dabdoub
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Rose JC, De Laporte L. Hierarchical Design of Tissue Regenerative Constructs. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7:e1701067. [PMID: 29369541 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide shortage of organs fosters significant advancements in regenerative therapies. Tissue engineering and regeneration aim to supply or repair organs or tissues by combining material scaffolds, biochemical signals, and cells. The greatest challenge entails the creation of a suitable implantable or injectable 3D macroenvironment and microenvironment to allow for ex vivo or in vivo cell-induced tissue formation. This review gives an overview of the essential components of tissue regenerating scaffolds, ranging from the molecular to the macroscopic scale in a hierarchical manner. Further, this review elaborates about recent pivotal technologies, such as photopatterning, electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, or the assembly of micrometer-scale building blocks, which enable the incorporation of local heterogeneities, similar to most native extracellular matrices. These methods are applied to mimic a vast number of different tissues, including cartilage, bone, nerves, muscle, heart, and blood vessels. Despite the tremendous progress that has been made in the last decade, it remains a hurdle to build biomaterial constructs in vitro or in vivo with a native-like structure and architecture, including spatiotemporal control of biofunctional domains and mechanical properties. New chemistries and assembly methods in water will be crucial to develop therapies that are clinically translatable and can evolve into organized and functional tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas C. Rose
- DWI—Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstr. 50 Aachen D‐52074 Germany
| | - Laura De Laporte
- DWI—Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstr. 50 Aachen D‐52074 Germany
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Spickard EA, Joshi PM, Rothman JH. The multipotency-to-commitment transition in Caenorhabditis elegans-implications for reprogramming from cells to organs. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:838-851. [PMID: 29334121 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In animal embryos, cells transition from a multipotential state, with the capacity to adopt multiple fates, into an irreversible, committed state of differentiation. This multipotency-to-commitment transition (MCT) is evident from experiments in which cell fate is reprogrammed by transcription factors for cell type-specific differentiation, as has been observed extensively in Caenorhabditis elegans. Although factors that direct differentiation into each of the three germ layer types cannot generally reprogram cells after the MCT in this animal, transcription factors for endoderm development are able to do so in multiple differentiated cell types. In one case, these factors can redirect the development of an entire organ in the process of "transorganogenesis". Natural transdifferentiation also occurs in a small number of differentiated cells during normal C. elegans development. We review these reprogramming and transdifferentiation events, highlighting the cellular and developmental contexts in which they occur, and discuss common themes underlying direct cell lineage reprogramming. Although certain aspects may be unique to the model system, growing evidence suggests that some mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved and may shed light on cellular plasticity and disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik A Spickard
- Department of MCD Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Pradeep M Joshi
- Department of MCD Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Joel H Rothman
- Department of MCD Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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Engineering new neurons: in vivo reprogramming in mammalian brain and spinal cord. Cell Tissue Res 2017; 371:201-212. [PMID: 29170823 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2729-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurons are postmitotic. Once lost because of injury or degeneration, they do not regenerate in most regions of the mammalian central nervous system. Recent advancements nevertheless clearly reveal that new neurons can be reprogrammed from non-neuronal cells, especially glial cells, in the adult mammalian brain and spinal cord. Here, we give a brief overview concerning cell fate reprogramming in vivo and then focus on the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Specifically, we critically review the cellular sources and the reprogramming factors for in vivo neuronal conversion. Influences of environmental cues and the challenges ahead are also discussed. The ability of inducing new neurons from an abundant and broadly distributed non-neuronal cell source brings new perspectives regarding regeneration-based therapies for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries and degenerative diseases.
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Ulasov AV, Rosenkranz AA, Sobolev AS. Transcription factors: Time to deliver. J Control Release 2017; 269:24-35. [PMID: 29113792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are at the center of the broad regulatory network orchestrating gene expression programs that elicit different biological responses. For a long time, TFs have been considered as potent drug targets due to their implications in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. At the same time, TFs, located at convergence points of cellular regulatory pathways, are powerful tools providing opportunities both for cell type change and for managing the state of cells. This task formulation requires the TF modulation problem to come to the fore. We review several ways to manage TF activity (small molecules, transfection, nanocarriers, protein-based approaches), analyzing their limitations and the possibilities to overcome them. Delivery of TFs could revolutionize the biomedical field. Whether this forecast comes true will depend on the ability to develop convenient technologies for targeted delivery of TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Ulasov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov St., 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A Rosenkranz
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov St., 119334 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskiye Gory St., 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander S Sobolev
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Intracellular Transport, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov St., 119334 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskiye Gory St., 119234 Moscow, Russia.
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Gallego-Perez D, Pal D, Ghatak S, Malkoc V, Higuita-Castro N, Gnyawali S, Chang L, Liao WC, Shi J, Sinha M, Singh K, Steen E, Sunyecz A, Stewart R, Moore J, Ziebro T, Northcutt RG, Homsy M, Bertani P, Lu W, Roy S, Khanna S, Rink C, Sundaresan VB, Otero JJ, Lee LJ, Sen CK. Topical tissue nano-transfection mediates non-viral stroma reprogramming and rescue. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2017; 12:974-979. [PMID: 28785092 PMCID: PMC5814120 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2017.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Although cellular therapies represent a promising strategy for a number of conditions, current approaches face major translational hurdles, including limited cell sources and the need for cumbersome pre-processing steps (for example, isolation, induced pluripotency). In vivo cell reprogramming has the potential to enable more-effective cell-based therapies by using readily available cell sources (for example, fibroblasts) and circumventing the need for ex vivo pre-processing. Existing reprogramming methodologies, however, are fraught with caveats, including a heavy reliance on viral transfection. Moreover, capsid size constraints and/or the stochastic nature of status quo approaches (viral and non-viral) pose additional limitations, thus highlighting the need for safer and more deterministic in vivo reprogramming methods. Here, we report a novel yet simple-to-implement non-viral approach to topically reprogram tissues through a nanochannelled device validated with well-established and newly developed reprogramming models of induced neurons and endothelium, respectively. We demonstrate the simplicity and utility of this approach by rescuing necrotizing tissues and whole limbs using two murine models of injury-induced ischaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gallego-Perez
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Durba Pal
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Subhadip Ghatak
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Veysi Malkoc
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Natalia Higuita-Castro
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Surya Gnyawali
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Lingqian Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Wei-Ching Liao
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Junfeng Shi
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Mithun Sinha
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Kanhaiya Singh
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Erin Steen
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Alec Sunyecz
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Richard Stewart
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jordan Moore
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Thomas Ziebro
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Robert G. Northcutt
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael Homsy
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Paul Bertani
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Wu Lu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Sashwati Roy
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Savita Khanna
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Cameron Rink
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Vishnu Baba Sundaresan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jose J. Otero
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - L. James Lee
- Center for Affordable Nanoengineering of Polymeric Biomedical Devices, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- ;
| | - Chandan K. Sen
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell-Based Therapies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- ;
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BMP4/LIF or RA/Forskolin Suppresses the Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells Derived from Adult Monkey Brain. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:7012405. [PMID: 29085431 PMCID: PMC5632485 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7012405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeys are much closer to human and are the most common nonhuman primates which are used in biomedical studies. Neural progenitor cells can originate from the hippocampus of adult monkeys. Despite a few reports, the detailed properties of monkey neural stem cells (NSCs) and their responses to cytokine are still unclear. Here, we derive NSCs from an adult monkey brain and demonstrate that BMP4 inhibits cell proliferation and affects cell morphology of monkey NSCs. Combined treatment of BMP4 and LIF or RA and Forskolin represses the proliferation of monkey NSCs. We also show that BMP4 may promote monkey NSC quiescence. Our study therefore provides implications for NSC-based cell therapy of brain injury in the future.
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Bennis A, ten Brink JB, Moerland PD, Heine VM, Bergen AA. Comparative gene expression study and pathway analysis of the human iris- and the retinal pigment epithelium. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182983. [PMID: 28827822 PMCID: PMC5565104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a neural monolayer lining the back of the eye. Degeneration of the RPE leads to severe vision loss in, so far incurable, diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and some forms of retinitis pigmentosa. A promising future replacement therapy may be autologous iris epithelial cell transdifferentiation into RPE in vitro and, subsequently, transplantation. In this study we compared the gene expression profiles of the iris epithelium (IE) and the RPE. Methods We collected both primary RPE- and IE cells from 5 freshly frozen human donor eyes, using respectively laser dissection microscopy and excision. We performed whole-genome expression profiling using 44k Agilent human microarrays. We investigated the gene expression profiles on both gene and functional network level, using R and the knowledge database Ingenuity. Results The major molecular pathways related to the RPE and IE were quite similar and yielded basic neuro-epithelial cell functions. Nonetheless, we also found major specific differences: For example, genes and molecular pathways, related to the visual cycle and retinol biosynthesis are significantly higher expressed in the RPE than in the IE. Interestingly, Wnt and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR-) signaling pathways are much higher expressed in the IE than in the RPE, suggesting, respectively, a possible pluripotent and high detoxification state of the IE. Conclusions This study provides a valuation of the similarities and differences between the expression profiles of the RPE and IE. Our data combined with that of the literature, represent a most comprehensive perspective on transcriptional variation, which may support future research in the development of therapeutic transplantation of IE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bennis
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW), Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacoline B. ten Brink
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Perry D. Moerland
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vivi M. Heine
- Department of Pediatrics / Child Neurology, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arthur A. Bergen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN-KNAW), Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Jorstad NL, Wilken MS, Grimes WN, Wohl SG, VandenBosch LS, Yoshimatsu T, Wong RO, Rieke F, Reh TA. Stimulation of functional neuronal regeneration from Müller glia in adult mice. Nature 2017; 548:103-107. [PMID: 28746305 PMCID: PMC5991837 DOI: 10.1038/nature23283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many retinal diseases lead to the loss of retinal neurons and cause visual impairment. The adult mammalian retina has little capacity for regeneration. By contrast, teleost fish functionally regenerate their retina following injury, and Müller glia (MG) are the source of regenerated neurons. The proneural transcription factor Ascl1 is upregulated in MG after retinal damage in zebrafish and is necessary for regeneration. Although Ascl1 is not expressed in mammalian MG after injury, forced expression of Ascl1 in mouse MG induces a neurogenic state in vitro and in vivo after NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) damage in young mice. However, by postnatal day 16, mouse MG lose neurogenic capacity, despite Ascl1 overexpression. Loss of neurogenic capacity in mature MG is accompanied by reduced chromatin accessibility, suggesting that epigenetic factors limit regeneration. Here we show that MG-specific overexpression of Ascl1, together with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, enables adult mice to generate neurons from MG after retinal injury. The MG-derived neurons express markers of inner retinal neurons, synapse with host retinal neurons, and respond to light. Using an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq), we show that the histone deacetylase inhibitor promotes accessibility at key gene loci in the MG, and allows more effective reprogramming. Our results thus provide a new approach for the treatment of blinding retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolas L Jorstad
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Matthew S Wilken
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - William N Grimes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Stefanie G Wohl
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Leah S VandenBosch
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Takeshi Yoshimatsu
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Rachel O Wong
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Fred Rieke
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Rezvani M, Español-Suñer R, Malato Y, Dumont L, Grimm AA, Kienle E, Bindman JG, Wiedtke E, Hsu BY, Naqvi SJ, Schwabe RF, Corvera CU, Grimm D, Willenbring H. In Vivo Hepatic Reprogramming of Myofibroblasts with AAV Vectors as a Therapeutic Strategy for Liver Fibrosis. Cell Stem Cell 2017; 18:809-816. [PMID: 27257763 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a form of scarring, develops in chronic liver diseases when hepatocyte regeneration cannot compensate for hepatocyte death. Initially, collagen produced by myofibroblasts (MFs) functions to maintain the integrity of the liver, but excessive collagen accumulation suppresses residual hepatocyte function, leading to liver failure. As a strategy to generate new hepatocytes and limit collagen deposition in the chronically injured liver, we developed in vivo reprogramming of MFs into hepatocytes using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing hepatic transcription factors. We first identified the AAV6 capsid as effective in transducing MFs in a mouse model of liver fibrosis. We then showed in lineage-tracing mice that AAV6 vector-mediated in vivo hepatic reprogramming of MFs generates hepatocytes that replicate function and proliferation of primary hepatocytes, and reduces liver fibrosis. Because AAV vectors are already used for liver-directed human gene therapy, our strategy has potential for clinical translation into a therapy for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Rezvani
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Regina Español-Suñer
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yann Malato
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Laure Dumont
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Andrew A Grimm
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Eike Kienle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, BioQuant BQ0030, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jay G Bindman
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ellen Wiedtke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, BioQuant BQ0030, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernadette Y Hsu
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Syed J Naqvi
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Carlos U Corvera
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Cluster of Excellence CellNetworks, BioQuant BQ0030, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Holger Willenbring
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.
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Li H, Chen G. In Vivo Reprogramming for CNS Repair: Regenerating Neurons from Endogenous Glial Cells. Neuron 2017; 91:728-738. [PMID: 27537482 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neuroregeneration in the CNS has proven to be difficult despite decades of research. The old dogma that CNS neurons cannot be regenerated in the adult mammalian brain has been overturned; however, endogenous adult neurogenesis appears to be insufficient for brain repair. Stem cell therapy once held promise for generating large quantities of neurons in the CNS, but immunorejection and long-term functional integration remain major hurdles. In this Perspective, we discuss the use of in vivo reprogramming as an emerging technology to regenerate functional neurons from endogenous glial cells inside the brain and spinal cord. Besides the CNS, in vivo reprogramming has been demonstrated successfully in the pancreas, heart, and liver and may be adopted in other organs. Although challenges remain for translating this technology into clinical therapies, we anticipate that in vivo reprogramming may revolutionize regenerative medicine by using a patient's own internal cells for tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedong Li
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Gong Chen
- Department of Biology, Huck Institutes of Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Chouchane M, Melo de Farias AR, Moura DMDS, Hilscher MM, Schroeder T, Leão RN, Costa MR. Lineage Reprogramming of Astroglial Cells from Different Origins into Distinct Neuronal Subtypes. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:162-176. [PMID: 28602612 PMCID: PMC5511102 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Astroglial cells isolated from the rodent postnatal cerebral cortex are particularly susceptible to lineage reprogramming into neurons. However, it remains unknown whether other astroglial populations retain the same potential. Likewise, little is known about the fate of induced neurons (iNs) in vivo. In this study we addressed these questions using two different astroglial populations isolated from the postnatal brain reprogrammed either with Neurogenin-2 (Neurog2) or Achaete scute homolog-1 (Ascl1). We show that cerebellum (CerebAstro) and cerebral cortex astroglia (CtxAstro) generates iNs with distinctive neurochemical and morphological properties. Both astroglial populations contribute iNs to the olfactory bulb following transplantation in the postnatal and adult mouse subventricular zone. However, only CtxAstro transfected with Neurog2 differentiate into pyramidal-like iNs after transplantation in the postnatal cerebral cortex. Altogether, our data indicate that the origin of the astroglial population and transcription factors used for reprogramming, as well as the region of integration, affect the fate of iNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek Chouchane
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59056-450, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Timm Schroeder
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcos Romualdo Costa
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59056-450, Brazil.
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