Novel Direct Conversion of Microglia to Neurons
Dorit Trudler1, Stuart A Lipton2
1Neuroscience Translational Center and Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Trends in Molecular Medicine
|January 7, 2019
Summary
Direct cell reprogramming converts microglia to neurons using the NeuroD1 factor. This method bypasses de-differentiation, offering a novel approach for cell type conversion in vitro and in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Direct cell reprogramming offers a pathway to convert somatic cells into desired cell types.
- This process may avoid epigenetic alterations and proliferation associated with de-differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of the pioneer transcription factor NeuroD1 in direct cell reprogramming.
- To determine if NeuroD1 can convert microglia into functional neurons.
Main Methods:
- Expression of the transcription factor NeuroD1 in mouse microglia.
- In vitro and in vivo experimental models were utilized.
Main Results:
- NeuroD1 expression successfully reprogrammed microglia into neurons.
- Transcriptional and epigenetic profiles were rearranged to facilitate microglia-neuron conversion.
Conclusions:
- The transcription factor NeuroD1 is sufficient to drive direct microglia-to-neuron conversion.
- This reprogramming strategy holds potential for therapeutic applications by generating neurons from glial cells.
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