Induced Neural Lineage Cells as Repair Kits: So Close, Yet So Far Away

Abstract

Transdifferentiation or direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neural lineage cells has provided an invaluable new tool to advance the regenerative neural medicine. Here, we provide an overview of the various strategies currently available for producing of induced neural lineage cells in vitro as well as the direct reprogramming of neural cells in vivo. We also discussing some of the challenges faced in harnessing the potential of induced neural lineage cells for biomedical applications.

Neural Progenitor-Like Cells Induced from Human Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulate Myelination of Schwann Cells in Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

“…Meanwhile, NPCs can be induced directly from human adipose stem cells and human and mouse fibroblasts by simply culturing under special conditions, e.g., suspension 3D‐spheroid culture , , , or in defined culture media . The minimally manipulated approach using only small‐molecule compounds, defined culture conditions, or a combination of both without exogenous gene introduction promises a safer strategy for the generation of expandable and multipotent NPCs directly from somatic cells for autologous cell‐based therapy of neurological disorders .…”

Direct conversion of human fibroblasts into dopaminergic neural progenitor-like cells using TAT-mediated protein transduction of recombinant factors

“…In recent years, progress in reprogramming and transdifferentiation has led to the proposal of a potential patient-specific cell source for the treatment of a broad range of human neurological disorders (for review see Ref. [3]). These induced DA (iDA) have been generated directly from different mouse and human somatic cell types by ectopic expression of key transcription factors [4e8].…”

Vertebrate Neural Stem Cells: Development, Plasticity, and Regeneration

“…Because the regenerative potential of our brain is quite limited, replacement of lost cells by transplantation to achieve functional recovery has extensively been studied. 10 Recent developments in cell reprogramming technology, such as iPSC and direct reprogramming to induce NSCs, neurons, and glia from other somatic cells [11][12][13] (which resolve the ethical problems associated with cell sourcing), should further facilitate the development of transplantation therapeutics. However, the induction of self-regeneration is still the ultimate goal.…”

“…10 Some enhancement of functional recovery was observed in many of these studies. The creation of induced pluripotent stem cells 11,12 and the direct reprogramming of non-neural somatic cells into NPCs and neurons 13 appear to have resolved many of the divisive ethical issues associated with the sourcing of highly plastic NSCs. Before these new techniques were introduced, NSCs in the early developmental state and early-born neurons such as MNs and DANs were obtainable only from embryos and embryonic stem cells (ESCs).…”