Modeling Neurological Disease by Rapid Conversion of Human Urine Cells into Functional Neurons

Stem Cells International
Shu-Zhen ZhangZhi-Ying Wu

Abstract

Somatic cells can be directly converted into functional neurons by ectopic expression of defined factors and/or microRNAs. Since the first report of conversion mouse embryonic fibroblasts into functional neurons, the postnatal mouse, and human fibroblasts, astroglia, hepatocytes, and pericyte-derived cells have been converted into functional dopaminergic and motor neurons both in vitro and in vivo. However, it is invasive to get all these materials. In the current study, we provide a noninvasive approach to obtain directly reprogrammed functional neurons by overexpression of the transcription factors Ascl1, Brn2, NeuroD, c-Myc, and Myt1l in human urine cells. These induced neuronal (iN) cells could express multiple neuron-specific proteins and generate action potentials. Moreover, urine cells from Wilson's disease (WD) patient could also be directly converted into neurons. In conclusion, generation of iN cells from nonneural lineages is a feasible and befitting approach for neurological disease modeling.

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Citations

Jan 23, 2017·Redox Biology·Zhimin XuJian Feng
Dec 19, 2017·Stem Cells International·Xiaoli JiJunmei Zhou
May 11, 2019·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Maria Sofia Falzarano, Alessandra Ferlini
Mar 28, 2018·Journal of Internal Medicine·R Loera-ValenciaP Nilsson
Jan 11, 2020·Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·Mitsuto SatoYoshitsugu Aoki
Feb 25, 2021·Obesity Research & Clinical Practice·Laura M L CarvalhoCarla Rosenberg
May 31, 2018·ACS Chemical Neuroscience·Joel Wellbourne-Wood, Jean-Yves Chatton

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
urine collection
PCR

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