Reversing a model of Parkinson's disease with in situ converted nigral neurons.

ABSTRACT: Parkinson's disease is characterized by loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra¹. Similar to other major neurodegenerative disorders, there are no disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson's disease. While most treatment strategies aim to prevent neuronal loss or protect vulnerable neuronal circuits, a potential alternative is to replace lost neurons to reconstruct disrupted circuits². Here we report an efficient one-step conversion of isolated mouse and human astrocytes to functional neurons by depleting the RNA-binding protein PTB (also known as PTBP1). Applying this approach to the mouse brain, we demonstrate progressive conversion of astrocytes to new neurons that innervate into and repopulate endogenous neural circuits. Astrocytes from different brain r

SUBMITTER: Qian H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7521455 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature