Transcriptional Programming of Human Mechanosensory Neuron Subtypes from Pluripotent Stem Cells.

ABSTRACT: Efficient and homogeneous in vitro generation of peripheral sensory neurons may provide a framework for novel drug screening platforms and disease models of touch and pain. We discover that, by overexpressing NGN2 and BRN3A, human pluripotent stem cells can be transcriptionally programmed to differentiate into a surprisingly uniform culture of cold- and mechano-sensing neurons. Although such a neuronal subtype is not found in mice, we identify molecular evidence for its existence in human sensory ganglia. Combining NGN2 and BRN3A programming with neural crest patterning, we produce two additional populations of sensory neurons, including a specialized touch receptor neuron subtype. Finally, we apply this system to model a rare inherited sensory disorder of touch and proprioception caused b

SUBMITTER: Nickolls AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7059559 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature