A combination of small molecules directly reprograms mouse fibroblasts into neural stem cells

作者：Zheng Jie; Choi Kyung Ah; Bang Phil Jun; Hyeon Solji; Kwon Suhyun; Moon Jai Hee; Hwang Insik; Kim Yang In; Kim Yoon Sik; Yoon Byung Sun; Park Gyuman; Lee JangBo; Hong SungHoi^*; You Seungkwon^*

来源：Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2016, 476(1): 42-48.

DOI：10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.05.080

• Reprogramming
• Small molecules
• Neural stem cell
• Lineage conversion

The generation of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) from somatic cells using defined factors provides new avenues for basic research and cell therapies for various neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and spinal cord injuries. However, the transcription factors used for direct reprogramming have the potential to cause unexpected genetic modifications, which limits their potential application in cell therapies. Here, we show that a combination of four chemical compounds resulted in cells directly acquiring a NSC identity; we termed these cells chemically-induced NSCs (ciNSCs). ciNSCs expressed NSC markers (Pax6, PLZF, Nestin, Sox2, and Sox1) and resembled NSCs in terms of their morphology, self-renewal, gene expression profile, and electrophysiological function when differentiated into the neuronal lineage. Moreover, ciNSCs could differentiate into several types of mature neurons (dopaminergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic) as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that stably expandable and functional ciNSCs can be directly reprogrammed from mouse fibroblasts using a combination of small molecules without any genetic manipulation, and will provide a new source of cells for cellular replacement therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.

• 出版日期2016-7-15