title: Small molecules enable highly efficient neuronal conversion of human fibroblasts.
abstract: Forced expression of proneural transcription factors has been shown to direct neuronal conversion of fibroblasts. Because neurons are postmitotic, conversion efficiencies are an important parameter for this process. We present a minimalist approach combining two-factor neuronal programming with small molecule-based inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and SMAD signaling, which converts postnatal human fibroblasts into functional neuron-like cells with yields up to >200% and neuronal purities up to >80%.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, LIFE & BRAIN Center, University of Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ladewig
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.forename: Jaideep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kesavan
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doerr
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poppe
authors.forename: Finnja
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Glaue
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Herms
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wernet
authors.forename: Gesine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kögler
authors.forename: Franz-Josef
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brüstle
mesh_terms: D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D051785:Smad Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D051785:Smad Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3