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Review
. 2012 Jun;45(3):586-95.
doi: 10.1007/s12035-012-8277-6. Epub 2012 May 22.

The path from skin to brain: generation of functional neurons from fibroblasts

Aisha Iman Abdullah  1 , Andrew Pollock, Tao Sun
Affiliations
Review

The path from skin to brain: generation of functional neurons from fibroblasts

Aisha Iman Abdullah et al. Mol Neurobiol. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Cell fate reprogramming makes possible the generation of new cell types from healthy adult cells to replace those lost or damaged in disease. Additionally, reprogramming patient cells into specific cell types allows for drug screening and the development of new therapeutic tools. Generation of new neurons is of particular interest because of the potential to treat diseases of the nervous system, such as neurodegenerative disorders and spinal cord injuries, with cell replacement therapy. Recent advances in cell fate reprogramming have led to the development of novel methods for the direct conversion of fibroblasts into neurons and neural stem cells. This review will highlight the advantages of these new methods over neuronal induction from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as outline the limitations and the potential for future applications.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Generation of neuronal cells via reprogramming of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Fibroblast conversion to iPSCs is mediated by the OSKM cocktail. Neurons, and other cell types such as smooth muscle cells and erythrocytes, can be generated from IPSCs in different growth conditions. OSKM: Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Direct generation of induced neurons (iNs) from fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are directly converted into iNs, bypassing intermediate and pluripotent cell stages. A variety of factors can mediate and enhance the conversion process to distinct neurons. BAM: Brn2, Ascl1, Myt11.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Direct generation of induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) from fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are directly converted into multipotent iNSCs, which can subsequently be differentiated into neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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