Brn2 Alone Is Sufficient to Convert Astrocytes into Neural Progenitors and Neurons. 2018

Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
1 Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology , Kunming, Yunnan, China .

Generating neurons or neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from astrocytes is a potential strategy for neurological repair by reprogramming. Previous study has showed that Brn2, by cooperating with other factors, participates in neurogenesis and neuronal reprogramming. However, it is still unclear whether the Brn2 alone can convert astrocytes into neurons or NPCs. Here, we explored the effect of Brn2 on reprogramming of astrocytes, and found that a single transcription factor Brn2 can convert mouse astrocytes into functional neurons. Furthermore, the Brn2-infected astrocytes can be induced into NPCs after changing culture condition. In addition, our study found that the reprogramming of astrocytes and the fate of transdifferentiated cells are closely associated with cell microenvironmental factors, such as the brain regions where the astrocytes come from, the proliferation ability of astrocytes, and culture condition of infected astrocytes. To sum up, for the first time, our results demonstrated that Brn2 alone is sufficient to convert astrocytes into neural progenitors and neurons, and the conversion is associated with cell microenvironments. This new conversion method will be a potential therapeutic approach to restore the injured diseased brain in regenerative medicine.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008810 Mice, Inbred C57BL One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases. Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D009419 Nerve Tissue Proteins Proteins, Nerve Tissue,Tissue Proteins, Nerve
D009474 Neurons The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM. Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D001921 Brain The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM. Encephalon
D002454 Cell Differentiation Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D003470 Culture Media Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as AGAR or GELATIN. Media, Culture
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001253 Astrocytes A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury. Astroglia,Astroglia Cells,Astroglial Cells,Astrocyte,Astroglia Cell,Astroglial Cell,Astroglias,Cell, Astroglia,Cell, Astroglial
D050809 POU Domain Factors A family of transcription factors characterized by the presence of a bipartite DNA-binding domain known as the POU domain. The POU domain contains two subdomains, a POU-specific domain and a POU-homeodomain. The POU domain was originally identified as a region of approximately 150 amino acids shared between the Pit-1, Oct-1, Oct-2, and Unc-86 transcription factors. POU Proteins,Pit-Oct-Unc Proteins,Transcription Factor POU,POU, Transcription Factor,Pit Oct Unc Proteins

Related Publications

Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
June 2016, Experimental neurology,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
July 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
March 2012, BMC biology,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
September 2022, The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
June 2022, PLoS genetics,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
May 2015, Stem cell reports,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
July 1994, The EMBO journal,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
August 2012, Experimental cell research,
Xiaoqing Zhu, and Wenshu Zhou, and Hua Jin, and Tianqing Li
June 2022, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,
Copied contents to your clipboard!