simple-generation-high-yield-culture-induced-neurons-from-human-adult

Simple Generation of a High Yield Culture of Induced Neurons from Human Adult Skin Fibroblasts

Induced neurons (iNs), the product of somatic cells directly converted to neurons, are a way to obtain patient-derived neurons from tissue that is easily ...

Lund University

Converting resident glia into functional and subtype-specific neurons in vivo by delivering reprogramming genes directly to the brain provides a step forward toward the possibility of treating brain injuries or diseases. To date, it has been possible to obtain GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons via in vivo conversion, but the precise phenotype of these cells has not yet been analyzed in detail. Here, we show that neurons reprogrammed using Ascl1, Lmx1a, and Nurr1 functionally mature and integrate into existing brain circuitry and that the majority of the reprogrammed neurons have properties of fast-spiking, parvalbumin-containing interneurons. When testing different combinations of genes for neural conversion with a focus on pro-neural genes and dopamine fate determinants, we found that functional neurons can be generated using different gene combinations and in different brain regions and that most of the reprogrammed neurons become interneurons, independently of the combination of reprogramming factors used.

Shelby Shrigley

Department of Experimental Medical Science,
Wallenberg Neuroscience Center,
Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center,
Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Division of Neurobiology and Lund Stem Cell Center

Lund University

Simple Generation of a High Yield Culture of Induced Neurons from Human Adult Skin Fibroblasts