title: Characterization of induced neural progenitors from skin fibroblasts by a novel combination of defined factors.
abstract: Recent reports have demonstrated that somatic cells can be directly converted to other differentiated cell types through ectopic expression of sets of transcription factors, directly avoiding the transition through a pluripotent state. Our previous experiments generated induced neural progenitor-like cells (iNPCs) by a novel combination of five transcription factors (Sox2, Brn2, TLX, Bmi1 and c-Myc). Here we demonstrated that the iNPCs not only possess NPC-specific marker genes, but also have qualities of primary brain-derived NPCs (WT-NPCs), including tripotent differentiation potential, mature neuron differentiation capability and synapse formation. Importantly, the mature neurons derived from iNPCs exhibit significant physiological properties, such as potassium channel activity and generation of action potential-like spikes. These results suggest that directly reprogrammed iNPCs closely resemble WT-NPCs, which may suggest an alternative strategy to overcome the restricted proliferative and lineage potential of induced neurons (iNCs) and broaden applications of cell therapy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
authors: Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China. ctian@unmc.edu
authors: Changhai
authors: C
authors: Tian
authors: Qiang
authors: Q
authors: Liu
authors: Kangmu
authors: K
authors: Ma
authors: Yongxiang
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Qiang
authors: Q
authors: Chen
authors: Randall
authors: R
authors: Ambroz
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Klinkebiel
authors: Yuju
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Yunlong
authors: Y
authors: Huang
authors: Jianqing
authors: J
authors: Ding
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Jialin C
authors: JC
authors: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D051379:Mice; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D055366:Synaptic Potentials; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors