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Small Molecules Efficiently Reprogram Human Astroglial Cells into Functional Neurons.


ABSTRACT: We have recently demonstrated that reactive glial cells can be directly reprogrammed into functional neurons by a single neural transcription factor, NeuroD1. Here we report that a combination of small molecules can also reprogram human astrocytes in culture into fully functional neurons. We demonstrate that sequential exposure of human astrocytes to a cocktail of nine small molecules that inhibit glial but activate neuronal signaling pathways can successfully reprogram astrocytes into neurons in 8-10 days. This chemical reprogramming is mediated through epigenetic regulation and involves transcriptional activation of NEUROD1 and NEUROGENIN2. The human astrocyte-converted neurons can survive for >5 months in culture and form functional synaptic networks with synchronous burst activities. The chemically reprogrammed human neurons can also survive for >1 month in the mouse brain in vivo and integrate into local circuits. Our study opens a new avenue using chemical compounds to reprogram reactive glial cells into functional neurons.

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4675726 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Small Molecules Efficiently Reprogram Human Astroglial Cells into Functional Neurons.

Zhang Lei L   Yin Jiu-Chao JC   Yeh Hana H   Ma Ning-Xin NX   Lee Grace G   Chen Xiangyun Amy XA   Wang Yanming Y   Lin Li L   Chen Li L   Jin Peng P   Wu Gang-Yi GY   Chen Gong G  

Cell stem cell 20151017 6


We have recently demonstrated that reactive glial cells can be directly reprogrammed into functional neurons by a single neural transcription factor, NeuroD1. Here we report that a combination of small molecules can also reprogram human astrocytes in culture into fully functional neurons. We demonstrate that sequential exposure of human astrocytes to a cocktail of nine small molecules that inhibit glial but activate neuronal signaling pathways can successfully reprogram astrocytes into neurons i  ...[more]

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