Journal
NEURON
Volume 110, Issue 3, Pages 366-393Publisher
CELL PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.11.023
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- German Research Foundation [SFB 870, TRR274, 408885537]
- SyNergy Excellence Cluster [EXC 2145, 390857198]
- EU NSC Reconstruct Consortium [874758]
- NeuroCentro ERC grant
- SNF postdoctoral fellowships [P2GEP3_174900, P400PB_183826]
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) [P2GEP3_174900, P400PB_183826] Funding Source: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
A successful experiment conducted 20 years ago opened up the field of neuronal reprogramming, which has since made significant progress. These studies are not only important for clinical applications, but also provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms of cell conversion into neurons and the maintenance of neuronal identity.
Differentiated cells have long been considered fixed in their identity. However, about 20 years ago, the first direct conversion of glial cells into neurons in vitro opened the field of direct neuronal reprogramming.Since then, neuronal reprogramming has achieved the generation of fully functional, mature neurons with remarkable efficiency, even in diseased brain environments. Beyond their clinical implications, these discoveries provided basic insights into crucial mechanisms underlying conversion of specific cell types into neurons and maintenance of neuronal identity. Here we discuss such principles, including the importance of the starter cell for shaping the outcome of neuronal reprogramming. We further highlight technical concerns for in vivo reprogramming and propose a code of conduct to avoid artifacts and pitfalls. We end by pointing out next challenges for development of less invasive cell replacement therapies for humans.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available