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. T

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature