Transcriptome Analysis of Small Molecule-Mediated Astrocyte-to-Neuron Reprogramming.

ABSTRACT: Chemical reprogramming of astrocytes into neurons represents a promising approach to regenerate new neurons for brain repair, but the underlying mechanisms driving this trans-differentiation process are not well understood. We have recently identified four small molecules - CHIR99021, DAPT, LDN193189, and SB431542 - that can efficiently reprogram cultured human fetal astrocytes into functional neurons. Here we employ the next generation of RNA-sequencing technology to investigate the transcriptome changes during the astrocyte-to-neuron (AtN) conversion process. We found that the four small molecules can rapidly activate the hedgehog signaling pathway while downregulating many glial genes such as FN1 and MYL9 within 24 h of treatment. Chemical reprogramming is mediated by several waves of d

SUBMITTER: Ma NX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6558402 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature