Reprogramming of pericyte-derived cells of the adult human brain into induced neuronal cells

Karow M, Sanchez R, Schichor C, Masserdotti G, Ortega F, Heinrich C, Gascon S, Khan MA, Lie DC, Dellavalle A, Cossu G, Goldbrunner R, Goetz M, Berninger B (2012)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2012

Journal

Cell Stem Cell Elsevier (Cell Press)

Book Volume: 11

Pages Range: 471-6

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2012.07.007

Abstract

Reprogramming of somatic cells into neurons provides a new approach toward cell-based therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. A major challenge for the translation of neuronal reprogramming into therapy is whether the adult human brain contains cell populations amenable to direct somatic cell conversion. Here we show that cells from the adult human cerebral cortex expressing pericyte hallmarks can be reprogrammed into neuronal cells by retrovirus-mediated coexpression of the transcription factors Sox2 and Mash1. These induced neuronal cells acquire the ability of repetitive action potential firing and serve as synaptic targets for other neurons, indicating their capability of integrating into neural networks. Genetic fate-mapping in mice expressing an inducible Cre recombinase under the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase promoter corroborated the pericytic origin of the reprogrammed cells. Our results raise the possibility of functional conversion of endogenous cells in the adult human brain to induced neuronal fates.

Authors with CRIS profile

Dieter Chichung Lie Institut für Biochemie

Involved external institutions

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) DE Germany (DE) Klinikum der Universität München (Großhadern und Innenstadt) DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz Zentrum München - Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (HMGU) / Helmholtz Munich DE Germany (DE) San Rafaele Scientific Institute IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Karow, M., Sanchez, R., Schichor, C., Masserdotti, G., Ortega, F., Heinrich, C.,... Berninger, B. (2012). Reprogramming of pericyte-derived cells of the adult human brain into induced neuronal cells. Cell Stem Cell, 11(4), 471-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2012.07.007

MLA:

Karow, Marisa, et al. "Reprogramming of pericyte-derived cells of the adult human brain into induced neuronal cells." Cell Stem Cell 11.4 (2012): 471-6.

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