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Esmaeili A, Eteghadi A, Landi FS, Yavari SF, Taghipour N. Recent approaches in regenerative medicine in the fight against neurodegenerative disease. Brain Res 2024; 1825:148688. [PMID: 38042394 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148688] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases arise due to slow and gradual loss of structure and/or function of neurons and glial cells and cause different degrees of loss of cognition abilities and sensation. The little success in developing effective treatments imposes a high and regressive economic impact on society, patients and their families. In recent years, regenerative medicine has provided a great opportunity to research new innovative strategies with strong potential to treatleva these diseases. These effects are due to the ability of suitable cells and biomaterials to regenerate damaged nerves with differentiated cells, creating an appropriate environment for recovering or preserving existing healthy neurons and glial cells from destruction and damage. Ultimately, a better understanding and thus a further investigation of stem cell technology, tissue engineering, gene therapy, and exosomes allows progress towards practical and effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, in this review, advances currently being developed in regenerative medicine using animal models and human clinical trials in neurological disorders are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Esmaeili
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefeh Eteghadi
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Saeedi Landi
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadnaz Fakhteh Yavari
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Taghipour
- Medical Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Yue C, Feng S, Chen Y, Jing N. The therapeutic prospects and challenges of human neural stem cells for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 11:28. [PMID: 36050613 PMCID: PMC9437172 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-022-00128-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging. Due to its insidious onset, protracted progression, and unclear pathogenesis, it is considered one of the most obscure and intractable brain disorders, and currently, there are no effective therapies for it. Convincing evidence indicates that the irreversible decline of cognitive abilities in patients coincides with the deterioration and degeneration of neurons and synapses in the AD brain. Human neural stem cells (NSCs) hold the potential to functionally replace lost neurons, reinforce impaired synaptic networks, and repair the damaged AD brain. They have therefore received extensive attention as a possible source of donor cells for cellular replacement therapies for AD. Here, we review the progress in NSC-based transplantation studies in animal models of AD and assess the therapeutic advantages and challenges of human NSCs as donor cells. We then formulate a promising transplantation approach for the treatment of human AD, which would help to explore the disease-modifying cellular therapeutic strategy for the treatment of human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
| | - Su Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Bioland Laboratory/Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Yingying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- Bioland Laboratory/Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510005, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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Fernandez-Muñoz B, Garcia-Delgado AB, Arribas-Arribas B, Sanchez-Pernaute R. Human Neural Stem Cells for Cell-Based Medicinal Products. Cells 2021; 10:2377. [PMID: 34572024 PMCID: PMC8469920 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells represent an attractive tool for the development of regenerative therapies and are being tested in clinical trials for several neurological disorders. Human neural stem cells can be isolated from the central nervous system or can be derived in vitro from pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic sources are ethically controversial and other sources are less well characterized and/or inefficient. Recently, isolation of NSC from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with spina bifida and with intracerebroventricular hemorrhage has been reported. Direct reprogramming may become another alternative if genetic and phenotypic stability of the reprogrammed cells is ensured. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of available sources of neural stem cells for the production of cell-based therapies for clinical applications. We review available safety and efficacy clinical data and discuss scalability and quality control considerations for manufacturing clinical grade cell products for successful clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Fernandez-Muñoz
- Cellular Reprogramming and Production Unit, Andalusian Network for the Design and Translation of Advanced Therapies, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (A.B.G.-D.); (B.A.-A.)
| | - Ana Belen Garcia-Delgado
- Cellular Reprogramming and Production Unit, Andalusian Network for the Design and Translation of Advanced Therapies, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (A.B.G.-D.); (B.A.-A.)
| | - Blanca Arribas-Arribas
- Cellular Reprogramming and Production Unit, Andalusian Network for the Design and Translation of Advanced Therapies, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (A.B.G.-D.); (B.A.-A.)
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, University of Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosario Sanchez-Pernaute
- Cellular Reprogramming and Production Unit, Andalusian Network for the Design and Translation of Advanced Therapies, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (A.B.G.-D.); (B.A.-A.)
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4
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Thues C, Valadas JS, Deaulmerie L, Geens A, Chouhan AK, Duran-Romaña R, Schymkowitz J, Rousseau F, Bartusel M, Rehimi R, Rada-Iglesias A, Verstreken P, Van Esch H. MAPRE2 mutations result in altered human cranial neural crest migration, underlying craniofacial malformations in CSC-KT syndrome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4976. [PMID: 33654163 PMCID: PMC7925611 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83771-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Circumferential skin creases (CSC-KT) is a rare polymalformative syndrome characterised by intellectual disability associated with skin creases on the limbs, and very characteristic craniofacial malformations. Previously, heterozygous and homozygous mutations in MAPRE2 were found to be causal for this disease. MAPRE2 encodes for a member of evolutionary conserved microtubule plus end tracking proteins, the end binding (EB) family. Unlike MAPRE1 and MAPRE3, MAPRE2 is not required for the persistent growth and stabilization of microtubules, but plays a role in other cellular processes such as mitotic progression and regulation of cell adhesion. The mutations identified in MAPRE2 all reside within the calponin homology domain, responsible to track and interact with the plus-end tip of growing microtubules, and previous data showed that altered dosage of MAPRE2 resulted in abnormal branchial arch patterning in zebrafish. In this study, we developed patient derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines for MAPRE2, together with isogenic controls, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and differentiated them towards neural crest cells with cranial identity. We show that changes in MAPRE2 lead to alterations in neural crest migration in vitro but also in vivo, following xenotransplantation of neural crest progenitors into developing chicken embryos. In addition, we provide evidence that changes in focal adhesion might underlie the altered cell motility of the MAPRE2 mutant cranial neural crest cells. Our data provide evidence that MAPRE2 is involved in cellular migration of cranial neural crest and offers critical insights into the mechanism underlying the craniofacial dysmorphisms and cleft palate present in CSC-KT patients. This adds the CSC-KT disorder to the growing list of neurocristopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cedric Thues
- Laboratory for the Genetics of Cognition, Department of Human Genetics, Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jorge S Valadas
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Deaulmerie
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Geens
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amit K Chouhan
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ramon Duran-Romaña
- Switch Laboratory, VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Switch Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michaela Bartusel
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Strasse 21, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 31 Ames St., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Rizwan Rehimi
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Strasse 21, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alvaro Rada-Iglesias
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch-Strasse 21, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 26, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC/Universidad de Cantabria, Albert Einstein 22, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Patrik Verstreken
- VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hilde Van Esch
- Laboratory for the Genetics of Cognition, Department of Human Genetics, Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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5
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Bhaskar S, Sheshadri P, Joseph JP, Potdar C, Prasanna J, Kumar A. Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase Specifies Early Neural Commitment by Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics. iScience 2020; 23:101564. [PMID: 33083732 PMCID: PMC7522125 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies revealing molecular mechanisms underlying neural specification have majorly focused on the role played by different transcription factors, but less on non-nuclear components. Earlier, we reported mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) to be essential for self-renewal and pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). In the present study, we found SOD2 to be specifically required for neural lineage, but not the meso- or endoderm specification. Temporally, SOD2 regulated early neural genes, but not the matured genes, by modulating mitochondrial dynamics—specifically by enhancing the mitochondrial fusion protein Mitofusin 2 (MFN2). Bio-complementation strategy further confirmed SOD2 to enhance mitochondrial fusion process independent of its antioxidant activity. Over-expression of SOD2 along with OCT4, but neither alone, transdifferentiated mouse fibroblasts to neural progenitor-like colonies, conclusively proving the neurogenic potential of SOD2. In conclusion, our findings accredit a novel role for SOD2 in early neural lineage specification. SOD2 is essential for early neural differentiation of mESCs Up-regulation of MFN2, but not MFN1, underlies SOD2-mediated neurogenesis Antioxidant enzymatic activity of SOD2 is dispensable for mitochondrial fusion Overexpression of SOD2 with OCT4 transdifferentiate MEFs to iNPLCs
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Bhaskar
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
| | - Preethi Sheshadri
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
| | - Joel P Joseph
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
| | - Chandrakanta Potdar
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
| | - Jyothi Prasanna
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
| | - Anujith Kumar
- Manipal Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Allalasandra, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, 560065 Karnataka, India
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6
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Xu Z, Su S, Zhou S, Yang W, Deng X, Sun Y, Li L, Li Y. How to reprogram human fibroblasts to neurons. Cell Biosci 2020; 10:116. [PMID: 33062254 PMCID: PMC7549215 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-020-00476-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Destruction and death of neurons can lead to neurodegenerative diseases. One possible way to treat neurodegenerative diseases and damage of the nervous system is replacing damaged and dead neurons by cell transplantation. If new neurons can replace the lost neurons, patients may be able to regain the lost functions of memory, motor, and so on. Therefore, acquiring neurons conveniently and efficiently is vital to treat neurological diseases. In recent years, studies on reprogramming human fibroblasts into neurons have emerged one after another, and this paper summarizes all these studies. Scientists find small molecules and transcription factors playing a crucial role in reprogramming and inducing neuron production. At the same time, both the physiological microenvironment in vivo and the physical and chemical factors in vitro play an essential role in the induction of neurons. Therefore, this paper summarized and analyzed these relevant factors. In addition, due to the unique advantages of physical factors in the process of reprogramming human fibroblasts into neurons, such as safe and minimally invasive, it has a more promising application prospect. Therefore, this paper also summarizes some successful physical mechanisms of utilizing fibroblasts to acquire neurons, which will provide new ideas for somatic cell reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Shengnan Su
- The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun, 130041 China
| | - Siyan Zhou
- Department of Stomatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Wentao Yang
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Deng
- Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Sun
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China.,Department of Stomatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Lisha Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
| | - Yulin Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 People's Republic of China
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Erharter A, Rizzi S, Mertens J, Edenhofer F. Take the shortcut - direct conversion of somatic cells into induced neural stem cells and their biomedical applications. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:3353-3369. [PMID: 31663609 PMCID: PMC6916337 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Second-generation reprogramming of somatic cells directly into the cell type of interest avoids induction of pluripotency and subsequent cumbersome differentiation procedures. Several recent studies have reported direct conversion of human somatic cells into stably proliferating induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). Importantly, iNSCs are easier, faster, and more cost-efficient to generate than induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and also have a higher level of clinical safety. Stably, self-renewing iNSCs can be derived from different cellular sources, such as skin fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and readily differentiate into neuronal and glial lineages that are indistinguishable from their iPSC-derived counterparts or from NSCs isolated from primary tissues. This review focuses on the derivation and characterization of iNSCs and their biomedical applications. We first outline different approaches to generate iNSCs and then discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we summarize the preclinical validation of iNSCs to highlight that these cells are promising targets for disease modeling, autologous cell therapy, and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Erharter
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Sandra Rizzi
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
- Institute of PharmacologyMedical University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Jerome Mertens
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
| | - Frank Edenhofer
- Department of Molecular Biology & CMBIGenomics, Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative MedicineLeopold‐Franzens‐University InnsbruckAustria
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Zhang T, Ke W, Zhou X, Qian Y, Feng S, Wang R, Cui G, Tao R, Guo W, Duan Y, Zhang X, Cao X, Shu Y, Yue C, Jing N. Human Neural Stem Cells Reinforce Hippocampal Synaptic Network and Rescue Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Stem Cell Reports 2019; 13:1022-1037. [PMID: 31761676 PMCID: PMC6915849 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2019.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory impairments in its earliest clinical phase. The synaptic loss and dysfunction leading to failures of synaptic networks in AD brain directly cause cognitive deficits of patient. However, it remains unclear whether the synaptic networks in AD brain could be repaired. In this study, we generated functional human induced neural progenitor/stem cells (iNPCs) that had been transplanted into the hippocampus of immunodeficient wild-type and AD mice. The grafted human iNPCs efficiently differentiated into neurons that displayed long-term survival, progressively acquired mature membrane properties, formed graft-host synaptic connections with mouse neurons and functionally integrated into local synaptic circuits, which eventually reinforced and repaired the neural networks of host hippocampus. Consequently, AD mice with human iNPCs exhibited enhanced synaptic plasticity and improved cognitive abilities. Together, our results suggest that restoring synaptic failures by stem cells might provide new directions for the development of novel treatments for human AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wei Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekou Wai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Su Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ran Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Guizhong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Ran Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenke Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yanhong Duan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA
| | - Xiaohua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yousheng Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekou Wai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Chunmei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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9
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Hamaneh MB, Yu YK. Exploring induced pluripotency in human fibroblasts via construction, validation, and application of a gene regulatory network. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220742. [PMID: 31374103 PMCID: PMC6677386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells, by overexpressing certain factors referred to as the reprogramming factors, can revolutionize regenerative medicine. To provide a coherent description of induced pluripotency from the gene regulation perspective, we use 35 microarray datasets to construct a reprogramming gene regulatory network. Comprising 276 nodes and 4471 links, the resulting network is, to the best of our knowledge, the largest gene regulatory network constructed for human fibroblast reprogramming and it is the only one built using a large number of experimental datasets. To build the network, a model that relates the expression profiles of the initial (fibroblast) and final (induced pluripotent stem cell) states is proposed and the model parameters (link strengths) are fitted using the experimental data. Twenty nine additional experimental datasets are collectively used to test the model/network, and good agreement between experimental and predicted gene expression profiles is found. We show that the model in conjunction with the constructed network can make useful predictions. For example, we demonstrate that our approach can incorporate the effect of reprogramming factor stoichiometry and that its predictions are consistent with the experimentally observed trends in reprogramming efficiency when the stoichiometric ratios vary. Using our model/network, we also suggest new (not used in training of the model) candidate sets of reprogramming factors, many of which have already been experimentally verified. These results suggest our model/network can potentially be used in devising new recipes for induced pluripotency with higher efficiencies. Additionally, we classify the links of the network into three classes of different importance, prioritizing them for experimental verification. We show that many of the links in the top ranked class are experimentally known to be important in reprogramming. Finally, comparing with other methods, we show that using our model is advantageous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi B. Hamaneh
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yi-Kuo Yu
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Ahlfors JE, Azimi A, El-Ayoubi R, Velumian A, Vonderwalde I, Boscher C, Mihai O, Mani S, Samoilova M, Khazaei M, Fehlings MG, Morshead CM. Examining the fundamental biology of a novel population of directly reprogrammed human neural precursor cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:166. [PMID: 31196173 PMCID: PMC6567617 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1255-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell reprogramming is a promising avenue for cell-based therapies as it allows for the generation of multipotent, unipotent, or mature somatic cells without going through a pluripotent state. While the use of autologous cells is considered ideal, key challenges for their clinical translation include the ability to reproducibly generate sufficient quantities of cells within a therapeutically relevant time window. METHODS We performed transfection of three distinct human somatic starting populations of cells with a non-integrating synthetic plasmid expressing Musashi 1 (MSI1), Neurogenin 2 (NGN2), and Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain 2 (MBD2). The resulting directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells (drNPCs) were examined in vitro using RT-qPCR, karyotype analysis, immunohistochemistry, and FACS at early and late time post-transfection. Electrophysiology (patch clamp) was performed on drNPC-derived neurons to determine their capacity to generate action potentials. In vivo characterization was performed following transplantation of drNPCs into two animal models (Shiverer and SCID/Beige mice), and the numbers, location, and differentiation profile of the transplanted cells were examined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Human somatic cells can be directly reprogrammed within two weeks to neural precursor cells (drNPCs) by transient exposure to Msi1, Ngn2, and MBD2 using non-viral constructs. The drNPCs generate all three neural cell types (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons) and can be passaged in vitro to generate large numbers of cells within four weeks. drNPCs can respond to in vivo differentiation and migration cues as demonstrated by their migration to the olfactory bulb and contribution to neurogenesis in vivo. Differentiation profiles of transplanted cells onto the corpus callosum of myelin-deficient mice reveal the production of oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS Human drNPCs can be efficiently and rapidly produced from donor somatic cells and possess all the important characteristics of native neural multipotent cells including differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, and in vivo neurogenesis and myelination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashkan Azimi
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 Canada
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8 Canada
| | | | - Alexander Velumian
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P5 Canada
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8 Canada
| | - Ilan Vonderwalde
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
| | | | - Oana Mihai
- New World Laboratories, Laval, Quebec, H7V 5B7 Canada
| | - Sarathi Mani
- New World Laboratories, Laval, Quebec, H7V 5B7 Canada
| | - Marina Samoilova
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8 Canada
| | - Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8 Canada
| | - Michael G. Fehlings
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1P5 Canada
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8 Canada
| | - Cindi M Morshead
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8 Canada
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8 Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G9 Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S3E1 Canada
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11
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Connor B, Firmin E, McCaughey-Chapman A, Monk R, Lee K, Liot S, Geiger J, Rudolph C, Jones K. Conversion of adult human fibroblasts into neural precursor cells using chemically modified mRNA. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00918. [PMID: 30450440 PMCID: PMC6226601 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct reprogramming offers a unique approach by which to generate neural lineages for the study and treatment of neurological disorders. Our objective is to develop a clinically viable reprogramming strategy to generate neural precursor cells for the treatment of neurological disorders through cell replacement therapy. We initially developed a method for directly generating neural precursor cells (iNPs) from adult human fibroblasts by transient expression of the neural transcription factors, SOX2 and PAX6 using plasmid DNA. This study advances these findings by examining the use of chemically modified mRNA (cmRNA) for direct-to-iNP reprogramming. Chemically modified mRNA has the benefit of being extremely stable and non-immunogenic, offering a clinically suitable gene delivery system. The use of SOX2 and PAX6 cmRNA resulted in high co-transfection efficiency and cell viability compared with plasmid transfection. Neural positioning and fate determinant genes were observed throughout reprogramming with ion channel and synaptic marker genes detected during differentiation. Differentiation of cmRNA-derived iNPs generated immature GABAergic or glutamatergic neuronal phenotypes in conjunction with astrocytes. This represents the first time a cmRNA approach has been used to directly reprogram adult human fibroblasts to iNPs, potentially providing an efficient system by which to generate human neurons for both research and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Erin Firmin
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Amy McCaughey-Chapman
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ruth Monk
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sophie Liot
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Kathryn Jones
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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12
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Kwon D, Ahn HJ, Kang KS. Generation of Human Neural Stem Cells by Direct Phenotypic Conversion. Results Probl Cell Differ 2018; 66:103-121. [PMID: 30209656 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-93485-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Human neural stem cells (hNSC) are multipotent adult stem cells. Various studies are underway worldwide to identify new methods for treatment of neurological diseases using hNSC. This chapter summarizes the latest research trends in and fields for application of patient-specific hNSC using direct phenotypic conversion technology. The aim of the study was to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of current technology and to suggest relevant directions for future hNSC research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daekee Kwon
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Bioengineering Institute in Kangstem Biotech, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee-Jin Ahn
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Bioengineering Institute in Kangstem Biotech, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung-Sun Kang
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Bioengineering Institute in Kangstem Biotech, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
- Adult Stem Cell Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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13
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Connor B. Concise Review: The Use of Stem Cells for Understanding and Treating Huntington's Disease. Stem Cells 2017; 36:146-160. [PMID: 29178352 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Two decades ago, researchers identified that a CAG expansion mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene was involved in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). However, since the identification of the HTT gene, there has been no advance in the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent or reduce the progression of HD. With the recent advances in stem cell biology and human cell reprogramming technologies, several novel and exciting pathways have emerged allowing researchers to enhance their understanding of the pathogenesis of HD, to identify and screen potential drug targets, and to explore alternative donor cell sources for cell replacement therapy. This review will discuss the role of compensatory neurogenesis in the HD brain, the use of stem cell-based therapies for HD to replace or prevent cell loss, and the recent advance of cell reprogramming to model and/or treat HD. These new technologies, coupled with advances in genome editing herald a promising new era for HD research with the potential to identify a therapeutic strategy to alleviate this debilitating disorder. Stem Cells 2018;36:146-160.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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14
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Playne R, Connor B. Understanding Parkinson's Disease through the Use of Cell Reprogramming. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2017; 13:151-169. [PMID: 28083784 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-017-9717-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent progress in the field of somatic cell reprogramming offers exciting new possibilities for the study and treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Reprogramming technology offers the ability to untangle the diverse contributing risk factors for PD, such as ageing, genetics and environmental toxins. In order to gain novel insights into such a complex disease, cell-based models of PD should represent, as closely as possible, aged human dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. However, the generation of high yields of functionally mature, authentic ventral midbrain dopamine (vmDA) neurons has not been easy to achieve. Furthermore, ensuring cells represent aged rather than embryonic neurons has presented a significant challenge. To date, induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have received much attention for modelling PD. Nonetheless, direct reprogramming strategies (either to a neuronal or neural stem/progenitor fate) represent a valid alternative that are yet to be extensively explored. Direct reprogramming is faster and more efficient than iPS cell reprogramming, and appears to conserve age-related markers. At present, however, protocols aiming to derive authentic, mature vmDA neurons by direct reprogramming of adult human somatic cells are sorely lacking. This review will discuss the strategies that have been employed to generate vmDA neurons and their potential for the study and treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Playne
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, FMHS, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Bronwen Connor
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Science, FMHS, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
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15
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Conversion of adult human peripheral blood mononuclear cells into induced neural stem cell by using episomal vectors. Stem Cell Res 2016; 16:236-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2016.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
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16
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Petersen GF, Strappe PM. Generation of diverse neural cell types through direct conversion. World J Stem Cells 2016; 8:32-46. [PMID: 26981169 PMCID: PMC4766249 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v8.i2.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A characteristic of neurological disorders is the loss of critical populations of cells that the body is unable to replace, thus there has been much interest in identifying methods of generating clinically relevant numbers of cells to replace those that have been damaged or lost. The process of neural direct conversion, in which cells of one lineage are converted into cells of a neural lineage without first inducing pluripotency, shows great potential, with evidence of the generation of a range of functional neural cell types both in vitro and in vivo, through viral and non-viral delivery of exogenous factors, as well as chemical induction methods. Induced neural cells have been proposed as an attractive alternative to neural cells derived from embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, with prospective roles in the investigation of neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative disease modelling, drug screening, and cellular replacement for regenerative medicine applications, however further investigations into improving the efficacy and safety of these methods need to be performed before neural direct conversion becomes a clinically viable option. In this review, we describe the generation of diverse neural cell types via direct conversion of somatic cells, with comparison against stem cell-based approaches, as well as discussion of their potential research and clinical applications.
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17
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Sandoval-Hernández AG, Hernández HG, Restrepo A, Muñoz JI, Bayon GF, Fernández AF, Fraga MF, Cardona-Gómez GP, Arboleda H, Arboleda GH. Liver X Receptor Agonist Modifies the DNA Methylation Profile of Synapse and Neurogenesis-Related Genes in the Triple Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2015; 58:243-53. [PMID: 26553261 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-015-0665-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The liver X receptor agonist, GW3965, improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. Here, we determined if short-term GW3965 treatment induces changes in the DNA methylation state of the hippocampus, which are associated with cognitive improvement. Twenty-four-month-old triple-transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) mice were treated with GW3965 (50 mg/kg/day for 6 days). DNA methylation state was examined by modified bisulfite conversion and hybridization on Illumina Infinium Methylation BeadChip 450 k arrays. The Morris water maze was used for behavioral analysis. Our results show in addition to improvement in cognition methylation changes in 39 of 13,715 interrogated probes in treated 3xTg-AD mice compared with untreated 3xTg-AD mice. These changes in methylation probes include 29 gene loci. Importantly, changes in methylation status were mainly from synapse-related genes (SYP, SYN1, and DLG3) and neurogenesis-associated genes (HMGB3 and RBBP7). Thus, our results indicate that liver X receptors (LXR) agonist treatment induces rapid changes in DNA methylation, particularly in loci associated with genes involved in neurogenesis and synaptic function. Our results suggest a new potential mechanism to explain the beneficial effect of GW3965.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Sandoval-Hernández
- Grupo de Muerte Celular, Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - H G Hernández
- Grupo de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - A Restrepo
- Grupo de Muerte Celular, Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - J I Muñoz
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - G F Bayon
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - A F Fernández
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - M F Fraga
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - G P Cardona-Gómez
- Área de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - H Arboleda
- Grupo de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Gonzalo H Arboleda
- Grupo de Muerte Celular, Instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
- Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
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18
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Winiecka-Klimek M, Smolarz M, Walczak MP, Zieba J, Hulas-Bigoszewska K, Kmieciak B, Piaskowski S, Rieske P, Grzela DP, Stoczynska-Fidelus E. SOX2 and SOX2-MYC Reprogramming Process of Fibroblasts to the Neural Stem Cells Compromised by Senescence. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0141688. [PMID: 26535892 PMCID: PMC4633175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenic potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) infiltrating population of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) generated from iPSCs may limit their medical applications. To overcome such a difficulty, direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iNSCs was proposed. The aim of this study was the systematic comparison of induced neural cells (iNc) obtained with different methods—direct reprogramming of human adult fibroblasts with either SOX2 (SiNSc-like) or SOX2 and c-MYC (SMiNSc-like) and induced pluripotent stem cells differentiation to ebiNSc—in terms of gene expression profile, differentiation potential as well as proliferation properties. Immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR analyses were used to evaluate gene expression profile and differentiation potential of various iNc types. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assays were used to estimate proliferation potential. All three types of iNc were capable of neuronal differentiation; however, astrocytic differentiation was possible only in case of ebiNSc. Contrary to ebiNSc generation, the direct reprogramming was rarely a propitious process, despite 100% transduction efficiency. The potency of direct iNSCs-like cells generation was lower as compared to iNSCs obtained by iPSCs differentiation, and only slightly improved when c-MYC was added. Directly reprogrammed iNSCs-like cells were lacking the ability to differentiate into astrocytic cells and characterized by poor efficiency of neuronal cells formation. Such features indicated that these cells could not be fully reprogrammed, as confirmed mainly with senescence detection. Importantly, SiNSc-like and SMiNSc-like cells were unable to achieve the long-term survival and became senescent, which limits their possible therapeutic applicability. Our results suggest that iNSCs-like cells, generated in the direct reprogramming attempts, were either not fully reprogrammed or reprogrammed only into neuronal progenitors, mainly because of the inaccuracies of currently available protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Winiecka-Klimek
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Maciej Smolarz
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej P. Walczak
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jolanta Zieba
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Blazej Kmieciak
- Department of Medical Law, Chair of Human Sciences, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Sylwester Piaskowski
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Dawid P. Grzela
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewelina Stoczynska-Fidelus
- Department of Research and Development, Celther Polska, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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19
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Mirakhori F, Zeynali B, Rassouli H, Shahbazi E, Hashemizadeh S, Kiani S, Salekdeh GH, Baharvand H. Induction of Neural Progenitor-Like Cells from Human Fibroblasts via a Genetic Material-Free Approach. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135479. [PMID: 26266943 PMCID: PMC4534403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A number of studies generated induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) from human fibroblasts by viral delivering defined transcription factors. However, the potential risks associated with gene delivery systems have limited their clinical use. We propose it would be safer to induce neural progenitor-like cells from human adult fibroblasts via a direct non-genetic alternative approach. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we have reported that seven rounds of TAT-SOX2 protein transduction in a defined chemical cocktail under a 3D sphere culture gradually morphed fibroblasts into neuroepithelial-like colonies. We were able to expand these cells for up to 20 passages. These cells could give rise to cells that expressed neurons and glia cell markers both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions/Significance These results show that our approach is beneficial for the genetic material-free generation of iNPCs from human fibroblasts where small chemical molecules can provide a valuable, viable strategy to boost and improve induction in a 3D sphere culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Mirakhori
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Zeynali
- School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Rassouli
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Shahbazi
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Hashemizadeh
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Kiani
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail:
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20
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Winata CL, Kondrychyn I, Korzh V. Changing Faces of Transcriptional Regulation Reflected by Zic3. Curr Genomics 2015; 16:117-27. [PMID: 26085810 PMCID: PMC4467302 DOI: 10.2174/1389202916666150205124519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of genomics in the study of developmental mechanisms has brought a trove of information
on gene datasets and regulation during development, where the Zic family of zinc-finger proteins
plays an important role. Genomic analysis of the modes of action of Zic3 in pluripotent cells demonstrated its
requirement for maintenance of stem cells pluripotency upon binding to the proximal regulatory regions
(promoters) of genes associated with cell pluripotency (Nanog, Sox2, Oct4, etc.) as well as cell cycle, proliferation, oncogenesis
and early embryogenesis. In contrast, during gastrulation and neurulation Zic3 acts by binding the distal regulatory
regions (enhancers, etc) associated with control of gene transcription in the Nodal and Wnt signaling pathways, including
genes that act to break body symmetry. This illustrates a general role of Zic3 as a transcriptional regulator that
acts not only alone, but in many instances in conjunction with other transcription factors. The latter is done by binding to
adjacent sites in the context of multi-transcription factor complexes associated with regulatory elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Lanny Winata
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland; Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | - Vladimir Korzh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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21
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Rony IK, Baten A, Bloomfield JA, Islam ME, Billah MM, Islam KD. Inducing pluripotency in vitro: recent advances and highlights in induced pluripotent stem cells generation and pluripotency reprogramming. Cell Prolif 2015; 48:140-56. [PMID: 25643745 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are considered patient-specific counterparts of embryonic stem cells as they originate from somatic cells after forced expression of pluripotency reprogramming factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc. iPSCs offer unprecedented opportunity for personalized cell therapies in regenerative medicine. In recent years, iPSC technology has undergone substantial improvement to overcome slow and inefficient reprogramming protocols, and to ensure clinical-grade iPSCs and their functional derivatives. Recent developments in iPSC technology include better reprogramming methods employing novel delivery systems such as non-integrating viral and non-viral vectors, and characterization of alternative reprogramming factors. Concurrently, small chemical molecules (inhibitors of specific signalling or epigenetic regulators) have become crucial to iPSC reprogramming; they have the ability to replace putative reprogramming factors and boost reprogramming processes. Moreover, common dietary supplements, such as vitamin C and antioxidants, when introduced into reprogramming media, have been found to improve genomic and epigenomic profiles of iPSCs. In this article, we review the most recent advances in the iPSC field and potent application of iPSCs, in terms of cell therapy and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- I K Rony
- Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
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22
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Cheng L, Hu W, Qiu B, Zhao J, Yu Y, Guan W, Wang M, Yang W, Pei G. Generation of neural progenitor cells by chemical cocktails and hypoxia. Cell Res 2014; 24:665-79. [PMID: 24638034 PMCID: PMC4042166 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2014.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) can be induced from somatic cells by defined factors. Here we report that NPCs can be generated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts by a chemical cocktail, namely VCR (V, VPA, an inhibitor of HDACs; C, CHIR99021, an inhibitor of GSK-3 kinases and R, Repsox, an inhibitor of TGF-β pathways), under a physiological hypoxic condition. These chemical-induced NPCs (ciNPCs) resemble mouse brain-derived NPCs regarding their proliferative and self-renewing abilities, gene expression profiles, and multipotency for different neuroectodermal lineages in vitro and in vivo. Further experiments reveal that alternative cocktails with inhibitors of histone deacetylation, glycogen synthase kinase, and TGF-β pathways show similar efficacies for ciNPC induction. Moreover, ciNPCs can also be induced from mouse tail-tip fibroblasts and human urinary cells with the same chemical cocktail VCR. Thus our study demonstrates that lineage-specific conversion of somatic cells to NPCs could be achieved by chemical cocktails without introducing exogenous factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Wenxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Binlong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yongchun Yu
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wuqiang Guan
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Min Wang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wuzhou Yang
- Institute of Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gang Pei
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China [2] School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Binas B, Verfaillie CM. Concise review: Bone marrow meets blastocyst: lessons from an unlikely encounter. Stem Cells 2013; 31:620-6. [PMID: 23169605 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This article discusses the implications of the recent discovery that rat bone marrow-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells (rMAPCs), a cell type with broad somatic differentiation potential but of uncertain lineage identity, are similar to rat blastocyst-derived extraembryonic endoderm precursor (rXENP) cells, which appear to represent the committed extraembryonic endoderm precursor of the blastocyst. It was found that under rMAPC culture conditions, rXENP cells can be homogeneously cultured and similar cells, named rat hypoblast stem cells (rHypoSCs), can be derived from rat blastocysts more rapidly and directly. The detailed comparison of rHypoSCs, rXENP cells, and rMAPCs revealed highly similar gene expression profiles and developmental potentials. The significance of these findings for embryology, stem cell biology, and medicine is discussed. Specifically, the results assign a lineage identity to rMAPCs, indicate that rMAPCs originated by environmental reprogramming, and imply that HypoSCs, XENP cells, and MAPCs possess lineage plasticity. The MAPC-HypoSC relation also strengthens the consistency of rat and mouse embryology and consequently the idea that HypoSCs represent the committed extraembryonic endoderm precursor of the blastocyst. On this basis, it is argued that the direct comparison of HypoSCs (now available in pure form) with embryonic stem cells will be highly useful for the understanding of pluripotency and plasticity. Finally, the new findings suggest an explanation for an obscure observation on stem cell-induced transplantation tolerance. Thus, the HypoSC/XENP/MAPC phenotype provides a unique but broadly instructive model with which to study stem cell plasticity, reprogramming, and transplantation tolerance, all central themes in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Binas
- Division of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Kyeonggi-do, South Korea.
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24
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Ladran I, Tran N, Topol A, Brennand KJ. Neural stem and progenitor cells in health and disease. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2013; 5:701-15. [PMID: 24068527 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) have the potential to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and/or oligodendrocytes. Because these cells can be expanded in culture, they represent a vast source of neural cells. With the recent discovery that patient fibroblasts can be reprogrammed directly into induced NSPCs, the regulation of NSPC fate and function, in the context of cell-based disease models and patient-specific cell-replacement therapies, warrants review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Ladran
- Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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25
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Maucksch C, Jones KS, Connor B. Concise review: the involvement of SOX2 in direct reprogramming of induced neural stem/precursor cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2013; 2:579-83. [PMID: 23817132 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2012-0179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since induced pluripotent stem cells were first generated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts in 2006, somatic cell reprogramming has become a powerful and valuable tool in many fields of biomedical research, with the potential to lead to the development of in vitro disease models, cell-based drug screening platforms, and ultimately novel cell therapies. Recent research has now demonstrated the direct conversion of fibroblasts into stem, precursor, or mature cell types that are committed in their fate within a specific lineage, such as hematopoietic precursors or mature neurons. This has been achieved by ectopic expression of defined, tissue-specific transcription factors. Several studies have demonstrated direct reprogramming of mouse and human fibroblasts into immature neural stem or precursor cells, either by transient expression of the four pluripotency genes OCT3/4, KLF4, SOX2, and C-MYC or by application of different combinations of up to 11 neural transcription factors. Interestingly, in all of these studies SOX2 was introduced alone or in combination with other transcription factors. In this review we discuss the different combinations of ectopic transcription factors used to generate neural stem/precursor cells from somatic cells, with particular emphasis on SOX2 and its potential to act as a master regulator for reprogramming to a neural precursor state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Maucksch
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Brain Research, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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Lu J, Liu H, Huang CTL, Chen H, Du Z, Liu Y, Sherafat MA, Zhang SC. Generation of integration-free and region-specific neural progenitors from primate fibroblasts. Cell Rep 2013; 3:1580-91. [PMID: 23643533 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Postnatal and adult human and monkey fibroblasts were infected with Sendai virus containing the Yamanaka factors for 24 hr, then they were cultured in a chemically defined medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β inhibitor SB431542, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inhibitor CHIR99021 at 39°C for inactivation of the virus. Induced neural progenitor (iNP) colonies appeared as early as day 13 and can be expanded for >20 passages. Under the same defined condition, no induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) colonies formed at either 37°C or 39°C. The iNPs predominantly express hindbrain genes and differentiate into hindbrain neurons, and when caudalized, they produced an enriched population of spinal motor neurons. Following transplantation into the forebrain, the iNP-derived cells retained the hindbrain identity. The ability to generate defined, integration-free iNPs from adult primate fibroblasts under a defined condition with predictable fate choices will facilitate disease modeling and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Lu
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
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27
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Declercq J, Sheshadri P, Verfaillie CM, Kumar A. Zic3 enhances the generation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 22:2017-25. [PMID: 23421367 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger protein of the cerebellum (Zic)3, a member of Gli family of transcription factors (TFs), is essential for maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and has been reported to activate TF Nanog in an Oct4/Sox2-independent manner. Previously, we showed that Zic3 (Z), in combination with the Yamanka factors OCT4, SOX2, and KLF4 (OSK), induces neural progenitor-like cells from human fibroblasts. However, a similar combination of TFs (OSKZ) transduced in mouse embryonic fibroblasts resulted in enhanced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) formation compared with OSK alone, but not neuroprogenitors. OSKZ-derived iPSCs are indistinguishable from mESCs in colony morphology, expression of alkaline phosphatase and pluripotency genes, and embryoid body and teratoma formation. Zic3 activates the transcription of Nanog, a key pluripotency regulator, as evidenced by a luciferase promoter assay. During the course of iPSC derivation, Zic3-mediated enhanced expression of Nanog and Tbx3, gene known to enhance iPSCs derivation, is observed. Not only does Zic3 enhance the reprogramming efficiency, but also reactivation of the endogenous Zic3 protein is essential for the generation of iPSCs, as knockdown of Zic3 during the iPSC generation with OSKM significantly reduced the number of colonies. Together, our result uncovers an important role of Zic3 in generating mouse iPSCs.
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28
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Tran NN, Ladran IG, Brennand KJ. Modeling schizophrenia using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived and fibroblast-induced neurons. Schizophr Bull 2013; 39:4-10. [PMID: 23172000 PMCID: PMC3523925 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbs127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Although schizophrenia affects a number of brain regions and produces a range of clinical symptoms, we believe its origins lie at the level of single neurons and simple networks. Owing to this, as well as to its high degree of heritability, we hypothesize that schizophrenia is amenable to cell-based studies in vitro. Using induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and/or fibroblast-induced neurons, a limitless quantity of live human neurons can now be generated from patient skin biopsies. We predict that cell-based studies will ultimately contribute to our understanding of the molecular and cellular underpinnings of this debilitating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristen J. Brennand
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10029, US; tel: 212-659-8259, fax: 212-803-6740, e-mail:
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29
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Shi Z, Jiao J. Direct lineage conversion: induced neuronal cells and induced neural stem cells. Protein Cell 2012; 3:826-33. [PMID: 22996174 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-012-2068-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular reprogramming to neural cells is an area of ongoing study in developmental neuroscience, and recent research has generated remarkable achievements. Several studies have shown that the ectopic expression of specific neural transcription factors can convert terminally differentiated cells into neural cells. Here, we review the most recent progress in the field of induced neuronal (iN) cells and induced neural stem (iNS) cells and their potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiao Shi
- Institute of Zoology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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