Induction of Neural Progenitor-Like Cells from Human Fibroblasts via a Genetic Material-Free Approach.
BACKGROUND
A number of studies generated induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) from human fibroblasts by viral delivering defined transcription factors. However, the potential risks associated with gene delivery systems have limited their clinical use. We propose it would be safer to induce neural progenitor-like cells from human adult fibroblasts via a direct non-genetic alternative approach.


RESULTS
Here, we have reported that seven rounds of TAT-SOX2 protein transduction in a defined chemical cocktail under a 3D sphere culture gradually morphed fibroblasts into neuroepithelial-like colonies. We were able to expand these cells for up to 20 passages. These cells could give rise to cells that expressed neurons and glia cell markers both in vitro and in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that our approach is beneficial for the genetic material-free generation of iNPCs from human fibroblasts where small chemical molecules can provide a valuable, viable strategy to boost and improve induction in a 3D sphere culture.
School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Fahimeh
F
Mirakhori
School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Bahman
B
Zeynali
Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Hassan
H
Rassouli
Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Ebrahim
E
Shahbazi
Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Shiva
S
Hashemizadeh
Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Sahar
S
Kiani
Department of Molecular Systems Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Ghasem Hosseini
GH
Salekdeh
Department of Stem cells and Developmental Biology at Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
Hossein
H
Baharvand
D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors