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Wang X, Wu J, Wang W, Zhang Y, He D, Xiao B, Zhang H, Song A, Xing Y, Li B. Reprogramming of Rat Fibroblasts into Induced Neurons by Small-Molecule Compounds In Vitro and In Vivo. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2099-2109. [PMID: 35723446 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell replacement is a promising approach for neurodegenerative disease treatment. Somatic cells such as fibroblasts can be induced to differentiate into neurons by specific transcription factors; however, the potential of viral vectors used for reprogramming to integrate into the genome raises concerns about the potential clinical applications of this approach. Here, we directly reprogrammed rat embryonic skin fibroblasts into induced neurons (iNs) via six small-molecule compounds (SMs) (VPA, CHIR99021, forskolin, Y-27632, Repsox, and P7C3-A20). iNs exhibit typical neuronal morphology, and immunofluorescence showed that more than 96% of the iNs expressed the early neuronal marker class III beta-tubulin (TUJ1) and that more than 91% of iNs expressed the mature neuronal marker neuron-specific enolase (NSE) after 10 days of reprogramming. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction also showed that most iNs expressed the dopaminergic neuron marker tyrosine hydroxylase, the neural marker Nur correlation factor 1, the (γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA) GABAergic neuronal marker GABA, and the cholinergic neuron marker choline acetyltransferase. In addition, we found that cell proliferation decreased during reprogramming and that protein synthesis increased initially and then decreased. SMs were mixed with hydrogels, and the hydrogels were implanted subcutaneously into the backs of rats. After 7 days, the TUJ1 and NSE proteins were expressed in surrounding tissues, indicating that SMs caused reprogramming in vivo. In summary, rat skin fibroblasts can be efficiently reprogrammed into iNs by SMs in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyun Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Paediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Wang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Yuanwang Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Dixin He
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Boying Xiao
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Haohao Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Anqi Song
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000 Henan, P.R. China
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Du SW, Palczewski K. MicroRNA regulation of critical retinal pigment epithelial functions. Trends Neurosci 2021; 45:78-90. [PMID: 34753606 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are short, evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNAs that are critical for the control of normal cellular physiology. In the retina, photoreceptors are highly specialized neurons that transduce light into electrical signals. Photoreceptors, however, are unable to process visual stimuli without the support of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE performs numerous functions to aid the retina, including the generation of visual chromophore and metabolic support. Recent work has underscored how microRNAs enable vision through their contributions to RPE functions. This review focuses on the biogenesis and control of microRNAs in rodents and humans, the roles microRNAs play in RPE function and degeneration, and how microRNAs could serve as potential therapeutics and biomarkers for visual diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Du
- Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Palczewski
- Center for Translational Vision Research, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, CA, USA.
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