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In vivo conversion of astrocytes to neurons in the injured adult spinal cord.

ABSTRACT: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible neuronal loss and glial scar formation, which ultimately result in persistent neurological dysfunction. Cellular regeneration could be an ideal approach to replenish the lost cells and repair the damage. However, the adult spinal cord has limited ability to produce new neurons. Here we show that resident astrocytes can be converted to doublecortin (DCX)-positive neuroblasts by a single transcription factor, SOX2, in the injured adult spinal cord. Importantly, these induced neuroblasts can mature into synapse-forming neurons in vivo. Neuronal maturation is further promoted by treatment with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid (VPA). The results of this study indicate that in situ reprogramming of endogenous astrocytes to neurons might be a potential strategy for cellular regeneration after SCI.

SUBMITTER: Su Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3966078 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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In vivo conversion of astrocytes to neurons in the injured adult spinal cord.

Su Zhida Z Niu Wenze W Liu Meng-Lu ML Zou Yuhua Y Zhang Chun-Li CL

Nature communications 20140225

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to irreversible neuronal loss and glial scar formation, which ultimately result in persistent neurological dysfunction. Cellular regeneration could be an ideal approach to replenish the lost cells and repair the damage. However, the adult spinal cord has limited ability to produce new neurons. Here we show that resident astrocytes can be converted to doublecortin (DCX)-positive neuroblasts by a single transcription factor, SOX2, in the injured adult spinal cord. Im ...[more]

PMID: 24569435

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In vivo conversion of rat astrocytes into neuronal cells through neural stem cells in injured spinal cord with a single zinc-finger transcription factor.

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Human astrocytes derived from glial restricted progenitors support regeneration of the injured spinal cord.

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Regional spinal cord gene expression profiling of adult astrocytes

Project description:There is emerging evidence that astrocytes exhibit molecular and cellular heterogeneity; however, whether distinct subpopulations perform these diverse roles remains poorly defined. Previous studies used Aldhl1l1 as a bulk astrocyte marker. Here we show that the Lunatic Fringe-GFP (Lfng-GFP) bacteria artificial chromosome mouse line specifically labels astrocyte populations within lamina III and IV of the dorsal spinal cord. We compared the transcriptional profile of Lfng-GFP+ astrocytes with Aldh1l1-GFP astrocytes to identify what is unique about the astrocyte population.

2021-10-25 | GSE186410 | GEO

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