1
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Zheng YY, Xu H, Wang YS. Progress in direct reprogramming of dopaminergic cell replacement therapy. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:873-881. [PMID: 37945931 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07175-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a gradual neurodegenerative disease. While drug therapy and surgical treatments have been the primary means of addressing PD, they do not offer a cure, and the risks associated with surgical treatment are high. Recent advances in cell reprogramming have given rise to new prospects for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), induced dopamine neurons (iDNs), and induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) being created. These cells can potentially be used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. On the other hand, this article emphasizes the limits of iPSCs and iNSCs in the context of Parkinson's disease treatment, as well as approaches for direct reprogramming of somatic cells into iDNs. The paper will examine the benefits and drawbacks of directly converting somatic cells into iDNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Human Resources Department, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Si Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China.
- Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China.
- Yantai Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, China.
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2
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Aversano S, Palladino R, Caiazzo M. Direct Cell Conversion of Somatic Cells into Dopamine Neurons: Achievements and Perspectives. Cell Reprogram 2022; 24:259-270. [PMID: 36137065 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2022.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, direct reprogramming has emerged as a novel strategy to obtain mature and functional dopamine neurons from somatic cells. This approach could overcome issues linked to the use of human pluripotent stem cells such as ethical concerns and safety problems that can arise from the overgrowth of undifferentiated cells after transplantation. Several conversion methodologies have been developed to obtain induced DA neurons (iDANs) or induced DA neuron progenitors (iDPs). iDANs have also proved to successfully integrate in mice striatum, alleviating Parkinson's disease (PD) motor symptoms. In the next decade, human iDANs and/or iDPs could be translated to clinic to achieve a patient-tailored therapy, but current critical issues hinder this goal, such as the low conversion rate of adult human fibroblasts and the risks associated with lentiviral delivery of conversion factors. In this study, we summarize the strategies and recent improvements developed for the generation of mouse and human iDANs/iDPs. Furthermore, we discuss the more recent application of in vivo direct conversion, which may enable clinical therapies for PD by means of brain in situ delivery of dopaminergic reprogramming transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Aversano
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Renata Palladino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Caiazzo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Al-Sayegh M, Ali H, Jamal MH, ElGindi M, Chanyong T, Al-Awadi K, Abu-Farha M. Mouse Embryonic Fibroblast Adipogenic Potential: A Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis. Adipocyte 2021; 10:1-20. [PMID: 33345692 PMCID: PMC7757854 DOI: 10.1080/21623945.2020.1859789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of adipose tissue has progressed from an inert tissue for energy storage to be one of the largest endocrine organs regulating metabolic homoeostasis through its ability to synthesize and release various adipokines that regulate a myriad of pathways. The field of adipose tissue biology is growing due to this association with various chronic metabolic diseases. An important process in the regulation of adipose tissue biology is adipogenesis, which is the formation of new adipocytes. Investigating adipogenesis in vitro is currently a focus for identifying factors that might be utilized in clinically. A powerful tool for such work is high-throughput sequencing which can rapidly identify changes at gene expression level. Various cell models exist for studying adipogenesis and has been used in high-throughput studies, yet little is known about transcriptome profile that underlies adipogenesis in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. This study utilizes RNA-sequencing and computational analysis with DESeq2, gene ontology, protein–protein networks, and robust rank analysis to understand adipogenesis in mouse embryonic fibroblasts in-depth. Our analyses confirmed the requirement of mitotic clonal expansion prior to adipogenesis in this cell model and highlight the role of Cebpa and Cebpb in regulating adipogenesis through interactions of large numbers of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Al-Sayegh
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Division of Biology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hamad Ali
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Health Sciences Center (HSC), Kuwait University, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
| | - Mohammad H Jamal
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center (HSC), Kuwait University, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
| | - Mei ElGindi
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Division of Biology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tina Chanyong
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Division of Biology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khulood Al-Awadi
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Design Studio, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Abu-Farha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI), Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
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4
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Han F, Liu Y, Huang J, Zhang X, Wei C. Current Approaches and Molecular Mechanisms for Directly Reprogramming Fibroblasts Into Neurons and Dopamine Neurons. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:738529. [PMID: 34658841 PMCID: PMC8515543 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.738529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is mainly caused by specific degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) in the substantia nigra of the middle brain. Over the past two decades, transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) from fetal brain-derived neural stem cells (fNSCs), human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been shown to improve the symptoms of motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) animal models and PD patients significantly. However, there are ethical concerns with fNSCs and hESCs and there is an issue of rejection by the immune system, and the iPSCs may involve tumorigenicity caused by the integration of the transgenes. Recent studies have shown that somatic fibroblasts can be directly reprogrammed to NSCs, neurons, and specific dopamine neurons. Directly induced neurons (iN) or induced DA neurons (iDANs) from somatic fibroblasts have several advantages over iPSC cells. The neurons produced by direct transdifferentiation do not pass through a pluripotent state. Therefore, direct reprogramming can generate patient-specific cells, and it can overcome the safety problems of rejection by the immune system and teratoma formation related to hESCs and iPSCs. However, there are some critical issues such as the low efficiency of direct reprogramming, biological functions, and risks from the directly converted neurons, which hinder their clinical applications. Here, the recent progress in methods, mechanisms, and future challenges of directly reprogramming somatic fibroblasts into neurons or dopamine neurons were summarized to speed up the clinical translation of these directly converted neural cells to treat PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabin Han
- Innovation Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yanming Liu
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Laboratory of Basic Medical Research, Medical Centre of PLA Strategic Support Force, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanfei Wei
- The Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng University/Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
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5
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Diverse reprogramming codes for neuronal identity. Nature 2018; 557:375-380. [PMID: 29743677 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The transcriptional programs that establish neuronal identity evolved to produce the rich diversity of neuronal cell types that arise sequentially during development. Remarkably, transient expression of certain transcription factors can also endow non-neural cells with neuronal properties. The relationship between reprogramming factors and the transcriptional networks that produce neuronal identity and diversity remains largely unknown. Here, from a screen of 598 pairs of transcription factors, we identify 76 pairs of transcription factors that induce mouse fibroblasts to differentiate into cells with neuronal features. By comparing the transcriptomes of these induced neuronal cells (iN cells) with those of endogenous neurons, we define a 'core' cell-autonomous neuronal signature. The iN cells also exhibit diversity; each transcription factor pair produces iN cells with unique transcriptional patterns that can predict their pharmacological responses. By linking distinct transcription factor input 'codes' to defined transcriptional outputs, this study delineates cell-autonomous features of neuronal identity and diversity and expands the reprogramming toolbox to facilitate engineering of induced neurons with desired patterns of gene expression and related functional properties.
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6
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Adult Neural Stem Cells: Basic Research and Production Strategies for Neurorestorative Therapy. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:4835491. [PMID: 29760724 PMCID: PMC5901847 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4835491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Over many decades, constructing genetically and phenotypically stable lines of neural stem cells (NSC) for clinical purposes with the aim of restoring irreversibly lost functions of nervous tissue has been one of the major goals for multiple research groups. The unique ability of stem cells to maintain their own pluripotent state even in the adult body has made them into the choice object of study. With the development of the technology for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and direct transdifferentiation of somatic cells into the desired cell type, the initial research approaches based on the use of allogeneic NSCs from embryonic or fetal nervous tissue are gradually becoming a thing of the past. This review deals with basic molecular mechanisms for maintaining the pluripotent state of embryonic/induced stem and reprogrammed somatic cells, as well as with currently existing reprogramming strategies. The focus is on performing direct reprogramming while bypassing the stage of iPSCs which is known for genetic instability and an increased risk of tumorigenesis. A detailed description of various protocols for obtaining reprogrammed neural cells used in the therapy of the nervous system pathology is also provided.
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7
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López-León M, Outeiro TF, Goya RG. Cell reprogramming: Therapeutic potential and the promise of rejuvenation for the aging brain. Ageing Res Rev 2017; 40:168-181. [PMID: 28903069 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is associated with a progressive increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, with Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) disease being the most conspicuous examples. Within this context, the absence of efficacious therapies for most age-related brain pathologies has increased the interest in regenerative medicine. In particular, cell reprogramming technologies have ushered in the era of personalized therapies that not only show a significant potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases but also promise to make biological rejuvenation feasible. We will first review recent evidence supporting the emerging view that aging is a reversible epigenetic phenomenon. Next, we will describe novel reprogramming approaches that overcome some of the intrinsic limitations of conventional induced-pluripotent-stem-cell technology. One of the alternative approaches, lineage reprogramming, consists of the direct conversion of one adult cell type into another by transgenic expression of multiple lineage-specific transcription factors (TF). Another strategy, termed pluripotency factor-mediated direct reprogramming, uses universal TF to generate epigenetically unstable intermediates able to differentiate into somatic cell types in response to specific differentiation factors. In the third part we will review studies showing the potential relevance of the above approaches for the treatment of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela López-León
- Institute for Biochemical Research (INIBIOLP) - Histology B & Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rodolfo G Goya
- Institute for Biochemical Research (INIBIOLP) - Histology B & Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata, Argentina.
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8
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Hh signaling in regeneration of the ischemic heart. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:3481-3490. [PMID: 28523343 PMCID: PMC5589787 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by the occlusion of a coronary artery due to underlying atherosclerosis complicated by localized thrombosis. The blockage of blood flow leads to cardiomyocyte (CM) death in the infarcted area. Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes have little capacity to proliferate in response to injury; however, some pathways active during embryogenesis and silent during adult life are recruited in response to tissue injury. One such example is hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Hh is involved in the embryonic development of the heart and coronary vascular system. Pathological conditions including ischemia activate Hh signaling in adult tissues. This review highlights the involvement of Hh signaling in ischemic tissue regeneration with a particular emphasis on heart regeneration and discusses its potential role as a therapeutic agent.
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9
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Xu Z, Chu X, Jiang H, Schilling H, Chen S, Feng J. Induced dopaminergic neurons: A new promise for Parkinson's disease. Redox Biol 2017; 11:606-612. [PMID: 28110217 PMCID: PMC5256671 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor symptoms that define Parkinson’s disease (PD) are caused by the selective loss of nigral dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Cell replacement therapy for PD has been focused on midbrain DA neurons derived from human fetal mesencephalic tissue, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Recent development in the direct conversion of human fibroblasts to induced dopaminergic (iDA) neurons offers new opportunities for transplantation study and disease modeling in PD. The iDA neurons are generated directly from human fibroblasts in a short period of time, bypassing lengthy differentiation process from human pluripotent stem cells and the concern for potentially tumorigenic mitotic cells. They exhibit functional dopaminergic neurotransmission and relieve locomotor symptoms in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. In this review, we will discuss this recent development and its implications to Parkinson’s disease research and therapy. Fibroblasts can be directly converted to induced dopaminergic neurons by transcription factors. Many different types of cells can be converted to induced neurons in vitro and in vivo. Appropriate cell culture conditions enhance the direct conversion to induced neurons. The conversion to induced neurons is enhanced by G1 arrest and p53 attenuation. iDA neurons is a promising tool for PD research and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Xu
- Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA; Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xingkun Chu
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Houbo Jiang
- Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Haley Schilling
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Shengdi Chen
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Health Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Science and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jian Feng
- Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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10
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Wang Y, Yang H, Yang Q, Yang J, Wang H, Xu H, Gao WQ. Chemical conversion of mouse fibroblasts into functional dopaminergic neurons. Exp Cell Res 2016; 347:283-92. [PMID: 27485858 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2016.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic expression of lineage-specific transcription factors facilitates the conversion of mammalian somatic cells into dopaminergic (DA) neurons, which is a promising strategy for cell therapy of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this approach still has some drawbacks limiting its clinical application due to the potential risks of integrating vectors into the host genome. Therefore, it is critical to seek a more desired approach to generate DA neurons derived from mammalian somatic cells. Here, we report that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) can be efficiently converted into DA neurons by using small molecules along with specific growth factors. These neuron-like cells generate DA neuronal morphology, and acquire immunocytochemical and calcium imaging special for neuronal electrophysiological profile. More importantly, these converted cells can secrete dopamine, indicating that they are functionally similar to DA neurons. Taken together, our study might provide a promising cell source for treating PD by using chemical approach without introduction of exogenous transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junhua Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology (Ministry of Health of China), Key Laboratory of Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology (Ministry of Health of China), Key Laboratory of Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei-Qiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China; School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Collaborative Innovative Research Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Xu H, Wang Y, He Z, Yang H, Gao WQ. Direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts to GABAergic neurons with combined medium without the introduction of transcription factors or miRNAs. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:2451-60. [PMID: 26114472 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1060382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Degeneration or loss of GABAergic neurons frequently may lead to many neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. So far no clinically effective therapies can slow and halt the progression of these diseases. Cell-replacement therapy is a promising strategy for treatment of these neuropsychiatric diseases. Although increasing evidence showed that mammalian somatic cells can be directly converted into functional neurons using specific transcription factors or miRNAs via virus delivery, the application of these induced neurons is potentially problematic, due to integration of vectors into the host genome, which results in the disruption or dysfunction of nearby genes. Here, we show that mouse fibroblasts could be efficiently reprogrammed into GABAergic neurons in a combined medium composed of conditioned medium from neurotrophin-3 modified Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (NT3-OECs) plus SB431542, GDNF and RA. Following 3 weeks of induction, these cells derived from fibroblasts acquired the morphological and phenotypical GABAerigic neuronal properties, as demonstrated by the expression of neuronal markers including Tuj1, NeuN, Neurofilament-L, GABA, GABA receptors and GABA transporter 1. More importantly, these converted cells acquired neuronal functional properties such as synapse formation and increasing intracellular free calcium influx when treated with BayK, a specific activator of L-type calcium channel. Therefore, our findings demonstrate for the first time that fibroblasts can be directly converted into GABAergic neurons without ectopic expression of specific transcription factors or miRNA. This study may provide a promising cell source for the application of cell replacement therapy in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Xu
- a State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes; Renji-MedX Clinical Stem Cell Research Center; Ren Ji Hospital; School of Medicine; Shanghai Jiao Tong University ; Shangha , China
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12
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Rodríguez-Traver E, Solís O, Díaz-Guerra E, Ortiz Ó, Vergaño-Vera E, Méndez-Gómez HR, García-Sanz P, Moratalla R, Vicario-Abejón C. Role of Nurr1 in the Generation and Differentiation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Stem Cells. Neurotox Res 2015; 30:14-31. [PMID: 26678495 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-015-9586-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
NURR1 is an essential transcription factor for the differentiation, maturation, and maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) as it has been demonstrated using knock-out mice. DA neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta degenerate in Parkinson's disease (PD) and mutations in the Nurr1 gene have been associated with this human disease. Thus, the study of NURR1 actions in vivo is fundamental to understand the mechanisms of neuron generation and degeneration in the dopaminergic system. Here, we present and discuss findings indicating that NURR1 is a valuable molecular tool for the in vitro generation of DA neurons which could be used for modeling and studying PD in cell culture and in transplantation approaches. Transduction of Nurr1 alone or in combination with other transcription factors such as Foxa2, Ngn2, Ascl1, and Pitx3, induces the generation of DA neurons, which upon transplantation have the capacity to survive and restore motor behavior in animal models of PD. We show that the survival of transplanted neurons is increased when the Nurr1-transduced olfactory bulb stem cells are treated with GDNF. The use of these and other factors with the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based technology or the direct reprogramming of astrocytes or fibroblasts into human DA neurons has produced encouraging results for the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in PD and for the search of new treatments for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Rodríguez-Traver
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Solís
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Díaz-Guerra
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar Ortiz
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Vergaño-Vera
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Héctor R Méndez-Gómez
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia García-Sanz
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosario Moratalla
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Vicario-Abejón
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Puangmalai N, Somani A, Thangnipon W, Ballard C, Broadstock M. A genetically immortalized human stem cell line: a promising new tool for Alzheimer's disease therapy. EXCLI JOURNAL 2015; 14:1135-14. [PMID: 27152108 PMCID: PMC4849102 DOI: 10.17179/excli2015-560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β peptides and hyper-phosphorylated tau are the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the recent failure of several large-scale clinical trials and the lack of disease-modifying pharmacological treatments, there is an urgent need to develop alternative therapies. A clinical grade human CTX0E03 neural stem cell line has recently passed phase I trials in people with stroke. However, this cell line has not been investigated in other neurodegenerative disorders. This study investigates the survival of CTX0E03 cells under conditions based on the underlying AD pathology. Cell viability assays showed a concentration dependence of this cell line to the toxic effects of Aβ1-42, but not Aβ1-40, and okadaic acid, a phosphatase 2A inhibitor. Notably, CTX0E03 cell line displayed toxicity at concentrations significantly higher than both rat neural stem cells and those previously reported for primary cultures. These results suggest CTX0E03 cells could be developed for clinical trials in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicha Puangmalai
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Alyma Somani
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Wipawan Thangnipon
- Research Center for Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Clive Ballard
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Martin Broadstock
- King’s College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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