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Yuan M, Tang Y, Huang T, Ke L, Huang E. In situ direct reprogramming of astrocytes to neurons via polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 knockdown in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2240-2248. [PMID: 38488558 PMCID: PMC11034579 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390957] [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: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2024] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202410000-00025/figure1/v/2024-02-06T055622Z/r/image-tiff In situ direct reprogramming technology can directly convert endogenous glial cells into functional neurons in vivo for central nervous system repair. Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTB) knockdown has been shown to reprogram astrocytes to functional neurons in situ. In this study, we used AAV-PHP.eB-GFAP-shPTB to knockdown PTB in a mouse model of ischemic stroke induced by endothelin-1, and investigated the effects of GFAP-shPTB-mediated direct reprogramming to neurons. Our results showed that in the mouse model of ischemic stroke, PTB knockdown effectively reprogrammed GFAP-positive cells to neurons in ischemic foci, restored neural tissue structure, reduced inflammatory response, and improved behavioral function. These findings validate the effectiveness of in situ transdifferentiation of astrocytes, and suggest that the approach may be a promising strategy for stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Scientific Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Tianwen Huang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Vascular Aging, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lining Ke
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - En Huang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases of Fujian Province, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Scientific Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
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2
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Xiang Z, He S, Chen R, Liu S, Liu M, Xu L, Zheng J, Jiang Z, Ma L, Sun Y, Qin Y, Chen Y, Li W, Wang X, Chen G, Lei W. Two-photon live imaging of direct glia-to-neuron conversion in the mouse cortex. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1781-1788. [PMID: 38103245 PMCID: PMC10960291 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.386401] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202408000-00032/figure1/v/2023-12-16T180322Z/r/image-tiff Over the past decade, a growing number of studies have reported transcription factor-based in situ reprogramming that can directly convert endogenous glial cells into functional neurons as an alternative approach for neuroregeneration in the adult mammalian central nervous system. However, many questions remain regarding how a terminally differentiated glial cell can transform into a delicate neuron that forms part of the intricate brain circuitry. In addition, concerns have recently been raised around the absence of astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in astrocytic lineage-tracing mice. In this study, we employed repetitive two-photon imaging to continuously capture the in situ astrocyte-to-neuron conversion process following ectopic expression of the neural transcription factor NeuroD1 in both proliferating reactive astrocytes and lineage-traced astrocytes in the mouse cortex. Time-lapse imaging over several weeks revealed the step-by-step transition from a typical astrocyte with numerous short, tapered branches to a typical neuron with a few long neurites and dynamic growth cones that actively explored the local environment. In addition, these lineage-converting cells were able to migrate radially or tangentially to relocate to suitable positions. Furthermore, two-photon Ca2+ imaging and patch-clamp recordings confirmed that the newly generated neurons exhibited synchronous calcium signals, repetitive action potentials, and spontaneous synaptic responses, suggesting that they had made functional synaptic connections within local neural circuits. In conclusion, we directly visualized the step-by-step lineage conversion process from astrocytes to functional neurons in vivo and unambiguously demonstrated that adult mammalian brains are highly plastic with respect to their potential for neuroregeneration and neural circuit reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongqin Xiang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Laboratory for Neuroimmunology in Health and Diseases, Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shu He
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rongjie Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Shanggong Liu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Minhui Liu
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Flemish Region, Belgium
| | - Liang Xu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jiajun Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhouquan Jiang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Long Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yongpeng Qin
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yi 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
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wenliang Lei
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration (GHMICR), Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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3
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Guo X, Wang C, Zhang Y, Wei R, Xi R. Cell-fate conversion of intestinal cells in adult Drosophila midgut by depleting a single transcription factor. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2656. [PMID: 38531872 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46956-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The manipulation of cell identity by reprograming holds immense potential in regenerative medicine, but is often limited by the inefficient acquisition of fully functional cells. This problem can potentially be resolved by better understanding the reprogramming process using in vivo genetic models, which are currently scarce. Here we report that both enterocytes (ECs) and enteroendocrine cells (EEs) in adult Drosophila midgut show a surprising degree of cell plasticity. Depleting the transcription factor Tramtrack in the differentiated ECs can initiate Prospero-mediated cell transdifferentiation, leading to EE-like cells. On the other hand, depletion of Prospero in the differentiated EEs can lead to the loss of EE-specific transcription programs and the gain of intestinal progenitor cell identity, allowing cell cycle re-entry or differentiation into ECs. We find that intestinal progenitor cells, ECs, and EEs have a similar chromatin accessibility profile, supporting the concept that cell plasticity is enabled by pre-existing chromatin accessibility with switchable transcription programs. Further genetic analysis with this system reveals that the NuRD chromatin remodeling complex, cell lineage confliction, and age act as barriers to EC-to-EE transdifferentiation. The establishment of this genetically tractable in vivo model should facilitate mechanistic investigation of cell plasticity at the molecular and genetic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingting Guo
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Chenhui Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Yongchao Zhang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Ruxue Wei
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Rongwen Xi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102206, China.
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4
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Guo Y, Chen J, Ji W, Xu L, Xie Y, He S, Lai C, Hou K, Li Z, Chen G, Wu Z. High-titer AAV disrupts cerebrovascular integrity and induces lymphocyte infiltration in adult mouse brain. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101102. [PMID: 37753218 PMCID: PMC10518493 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The brain is often described as an "immune-privileged" organ due to the presence of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), which limits the entry of immune cells. In general, intracranial injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) is considered a relatively safe procedure. In this study, we discovered that AAV, a popular engineered viral vector for gene therapy, can disrupt the BBB and induce immune cell infiltration in a titer-dependent manner. First, our bulk RNA sequencing data revealed that injection of high-titer AAV significantly upregulated many genes involved in disrupting BBB integrity and antiviral adaptive immune responses. By using histologic analysis, we further demonstrated that the biological structure of the BBB was severely disrupted in the adult mouse brain. Meanwhile, we noticed abnormal leakage of blood components, including immune cells, within the brain parenchyma of high-titer AAV injected areas. Moreover, we identified that the majority of infiltrated immune cells were cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which resulted in a massive loss of neurons at the site of AAV injection. In addition, antagonizing CTL function by administering antibodies significantly reduced neuronal toxicity induced by high-titer AAV. Collectively, our findings underscore potential severe side effects of intracranial injection of high-titer AAV, which might compromise proper data interpretation if unaware of.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaowei Guo
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wenyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Shu He
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chuying Lai
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Kaiyu Hou
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zeru Li
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Gong Chen
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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5
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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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6
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Caldecott KW. DNA single-strand break repair and human genetic disease. Trends Cell Biol 2022; 32:733-745. [PMID: 35643889 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2022.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) are amongst the commonest DNA lesions arising in cells, with many tens of thousands induced in each cell each day. SSBs arise not only from exposure to intracellular and environmental genotoxins but also as intermediates of normal DNA metabolic processes, such as the removal of torsional stress in DNA by topoisomerase enzymes and the epigenetic regulation of gene expression by DNA base excision repair (BER). If not rapidly detected and repaired, SSBs can result in RNA polymerase stalling, DNA replication fork collapse, and hyperactivation of the SSB sensor protein poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1). The potential impact of unrepaired SSBs is illustrated by the existence of genetic diseases in which proteins involved in SSB repair (SSBR) are mutated, and which are typified by hereditary neurodevelopmental and/or neurodegenerative disease. Here, I review our current understanding of SSBR and its impact on human neurological disease, with a focus on recent developments and concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith W Caldecott
- Genome Damage and Stability Centre, School of Life Sciences, Science Park Road, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RQ, UK.
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7
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Reprogramming neurons for regeneration: The fountain of youth. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 214:102284. [PMID: 35533809 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) are terminally differentiated cells that gradually lose their ability to support regeneration during maturation due to changes in transcriptomic and chromatin landscape. Similar transcriptomic changes also occur during development when stem cells differentiate into different types of somatic cells. Importantly, differentiated cells can be reprogrammed back to induced pluripotent stems cells (iPSCs) via global epigenetic remodeling by combined overexpression of pluripotent reprogramming factors, including Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, Nanog, and/or Lin28. Moreover, recent findings showed that many proneural transcription factors were able to convert non-neural somatic cells into neurons bypassing the pluripotent stage via direct reprogramming. Interestingly, many of these factors have recently been identified as key regulators of CNS neural regeneration. Recent studies indicated that these factors could rejuvenate mature CNS neurons back to a younger state through cellular state reprogramming, thus favoring regeneration. Here we will review some recent findings regarding the roles of genetic cellular state reprogramming in regulation of neural regeneration and explore the potential underlying molecular mechanisms. Moreover, by using newly emerging techniques, such as multiomics sequencing with big data analysis and Crispr-based gene editing, we will discuss future research directions focusing on better revealing cellular state reprogramming-induced remodeling of chromatin landscape and potential translational application.
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PT109, a novel multi-kinase inhibitor suppresses glioblastoma multiforme through cell reprogramming: Involvement of PTBP1/PKM1/2 pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 920:174837. [PMID: 35218719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent type and lethal form of primary malignant brain tumor, accounting for about 40-50% of intracranial tumors and without effective treatments now. Cell reprogramming is one of the emerging treatment approaches for GBM, which can reprogram glioblastomas into non-tumor cells to achieve therapeutic effects. However, anti-GBM drugs through reprogramming can only provide limited symptom relief, and cannot completely cure GBM. Here we showed that PT109, a novel multi-kinase inhibitor, suppressed GBM's proliferation, colony formation, migration and reprogramed GBM into oligodendrocytes. Analysis of quantitative proteomics data after PT109 administration of human GBM cells showed significant influence of energy metabolism, cell cycle, and immune system processes of GBM-associated protein. Metabolomics analysis showed that PT109 improved the aerobic respiration process in glioma cells. Meanwhile, we found that PT109 could significantly increase the ratio of Pyruvate kinase M1/2 (PKM1/2) by reducing the level of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein 1 (PTBP1). Altogether, this work developed a novel anti-GBM small molecule PT109, which reprogramed GBM into oligodendrocytes and changed the metabolic pattern of GBM through the PTBP1/PKM1/2 pathway, providing a new strategy for the development of anti-glioma drugs.
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