Direct reprogramming of melanocytes to neural crest stem-like cells by one defined factor.

ABSTRACT: Mouse and human somatic cells can either be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state or converted to another lineage with a combination of transcription factors suggesting that lineage commitment is a reversible process. Here we show that only one factor, the active intracellular form of Notch1, is sufficient to convert mature pigmented epidermal-derived melanocytes into functional multipotent neural crest (NC) stem-like cells. These induced NC stem cells (iNCSCs) proliferate as spheres under stem cell media conditions, re-express NC-related genes, and differentiate into multiple NC-derived mesenchymal and neuronal lineages. Moreover, iNCSCs are highly migratory and functional in vivo. These results demonstrate that mature melanocytes can be reprogrammed toward their primitive NC cell precursor

SUBMITTER: Zabierowski SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3615703 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature