Article
Cell Biology
Zongqin Xiang, Liang Xu, Minhui Liu, Qingsong Wang, Wen Li, Wenliang Lei, Gong Chen
Summary: Conversion of astrocytes into neurons through NeuroD1 expression has been successfully demonstrated, with the importance of using safe adeno-associated virus dosage highlighted. Future studies should combine adeno-associated virus results with retroviruses for solid conclusions. The study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Jinan University in 2018.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Michael A. Thornton, Gregory L. Futia, Michael E. Stockton, Baris N. Ozbay, Karl Kilborn, Diego Restrepo, Emily A. Gibson, Ethan G. Hughes
Summary: The use of three-photon microscopy significantly improves the depth and resolution of in vivo imaging, making it important for studying cellular interactions and dynamics in the brain. This study explored the application of tdTomato or mScarlet and EGFP for dual-color single-excitation structural 3P imaging in the living mouse brain, and found that tdTomato and mScarlet have high signal-to-background ratios in a specific wavelength range, enhancing the imaging quality.
Article
Cell Biology
Yuan Li, Tingting Yang, Yingying Cheng, Jinfei Hou, Zhaoming Liu, Yu Zhao, Shiyu Chen, Zhaohui Qin, Chenchen Wang, Weining Song, Haofei Ge, Changpeng Li, Lining Liang, Lin Guo, Hao Sun, Lin-Ping Wu, Hui Zheng
Summary: Both exogenous transcriptional factors and chemical-defined medium can transdifferentiate astrocytes into functional neurons, but the regional preference for such transdifferentiation has not been fully studied.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Minji Kim, Remigiusz A. Serwa, Lukasz Samluk, Ida Suppanz, Agata Kodron, Tomasz M. Stepkowski, Praveenraj Elancheliyan, Biniyam Tsegaye, Silke Oeljeklaus, Michal Wasilewski, Bettina Warscheid, Agnieszka Chacinska
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to the accumulation of mitochondrial proteins in the cytosol. The immunoproteasome subunit PSMB9 promotes protein degradation to maintain cellular protein homeostasis. Understanding the interplay between cellular proteostasis and mitochondrial dysfunction is important for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Lei-Lei Wang, Chun-Li Zhang
Summary: A key goal of regenerative medicine is to replenish lost cells due to disease. However, the adult mammalian central nervous system lacks regenerative ability. An emerging strategy for generating new neurons is glia-to-neuron conversion, mainly through the regulation of fate-determining factors. PTBP1 inhibition was thought to induce rapid and efficient glia-to-neuron conversion and improve behaviors in neurological diseases or aging, but subsequent replication studies failed to validate these claims.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yunfei Bai, Zhenghao Yang, Xiaochan Xu, Wanqiu Ding, Juntian Qi, Feng Liu, Xiaoxiao Wang, Bin Zhou, Wenpeng Zhang, Xiaomei Zhuang, Guanglu Li, Yang Zhao
Summary: Cell fate can be directly reprogrammed into functional cell types using small molecule stimuli. This study demonstrates the successful direct chemical reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts into functional hepatocyte-like cells. The chemically induced hepatocytes exhibit comparable activity and function to primary hepatocytes and have high-quality physiological properties. The findings suggest the potential of chemical reprogramming in organ/tissue repair and regeneration therapies.
Article
Neurosciences
Anne-Kathrin Gellner, Janine Reis, Bernd L. Fiebich, Brita Fritsch
Summary: Microglia play a crucial role in motor cortical neuroplasticity and their communication with neurons through the fractalkine pathway is essential. Our study reveals that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) requires the presence of microglia and CX3CR1 signaling for inducing neuroplasticity in the motor cortex. We also provide the first evidence of microglia interacting with neurons during tDCS, and demonstrate that CX3CR1 signaling is necessary for motor learning and structural neuroplasticity.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Developmental Biology
Claire M. Kittock, Louis-Jan Pilaz
Summary: In utero electroporation (IUE) is a technique that allows transfection of neurons and neural progenitors in the embryonic brain, enabling continued development and analysis of neural development.
DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhen Chen, Yuhang Huang, Chaorong Yu, Qing Liu, Cui Qiu, Guoqiang Wan
Summary: This study identified a Sox2(+) glial subpopulation with high potency for neuronal differentiation, but found that overexpression of Sox2 inhibited neuronal differentiation. A combination of small molecules was also discovered to promote neuronal differentiation of Sox2(-) glial cells and induce maturation of induced neurons towards SGN fate.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bob A. Hersbach, Tatiana Simon, Giacomo Masserdotti
Summary: Direct neuronal reprogramming is a powerful technique that can generate functional neurons from different starter cell populations without the need for multipotent intermediates. This has great potential in disease modeling and as an alternative for cell-based replacement therapies. The conversion of differentiated non-neural cells, such as astrocytes, into functional neurons in vitro has provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms and challenges of efficient reprogramming. However, comparing results from different labs is difficult due to variations in isolation, culture, and reprogramming methods. This article provides a detailed protocol for reliably isolating and culturing astrocytes with high purity, as well as protocols for reprogramming them into neurons.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Juliet Goldsmith, Alban Ordureau, J. Wade Harper, Erika L. F. Holzbaur
Summary: This study reveals the importance of autophagy in maintaining neuronal health. By isolating autophagic vesicles and using proteomics, the researchers identified mitochondrial proteins as a major cargo engulfed in autophagosomes. They also found that nucleoid-associated proteins are enriched in autophagic engulfment of nucleoid-enriched mitochondrial fragments, and this process requires the mitochondrial fission machinery protein Drp1.
Review
Developmental Biology
Sydney Leaman, Nicolas Marichal, Benedikt Berninger
Summary: Cellular identity can be reprogrammed through gene regulatory networks, and recent research suggests that this reprogramming can mitigate disease phenotypes.
Article
Cell Biology
Markus Leo, Linda-Isabell Schmitt, Michael Fleischer, Rebecca Steffen, Cora Osswald, Christoph Kleinschnitz, Tim Hagenacker
Summary: This study investigates the role of spinal astrocytes in the pathogenesis of late-onset SMA forms. Using a mouse model and SMA-like astrocytes, they observed the activation of spinal astrocytes, reduction of certain proteins, and impaired glutamate uptake and potassium uptake. These findings demonstrate the crucial role of spinal astrocytes in the development of late-onset SMA.
Article
Neurosciences
Mathias A. Boehme, Anthony W. McCarthy, Natalie Blaum, Monika Berezeckaja, Kristina Ponimaskine, David Schwefel, Alexander M. Walter
Summary: Our study identifies the crucial role of non-neuronal Synaptobrevin (Syb) in Drosophila peripheral glia, showing its importance in maintaining proper glial-glial and glial-neural interactions for adequate nerve function, animal motility, and survival. Syb is necessary for various glial subtypes, impacting nerve morphology, axonal transport, and locomotion. The findings highlight the essential role of Syb in different glial subtypes and its impact on overall nerve function and animal behavior.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristiana Mollinari, Daniela Merlo
Summary: Translating successful preclinical research in neurodegenerative diseases into clinical practice has been challenging. Human induced pluripotent stem cells are a powerful tool for studying the molecular mechanisms of disease onset and pathogenesis, but require time to differentiate and may lose age-related information.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher T. Breunig, Tamara Durovic, Andrea M. Neuner, Valentin Baumann, Maximilian F. Wiesbeck, Anna Koeferle, Magdalena Goetz, Jovica Ninkovic, Stefan H. Stricker
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian Bultmann, Stefan H. Stricker
Review
Neurosciences
Stefan H. Stricker, Magdalena Goetz
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Geoffrey J. Maher, Hannah K. Ralph, Zhihao Ding, Nils Koelling, Hana Mlcochova, Eleni Giannoulatou, Pawan Dhami, Dirk S. Paul, Stefan H. Stricker, Stephan Beck, Gilean McVean, Andrew O. M. Wilkie, Anne Goriely
Article
Cell Biology
Rossella Di Giaimo, Tamara Durovic, Pablo Barquin, Anita Kociaj, Tjasa Lepko, Sven Aschenbroich, Christopher T. Breunig, Martin Irmler, Filippo M. Cernilogar, Gunnar Schotta, Joana S. Barbosa, Dietrich Truembach, Emily Violette Baumgart, Andrea M. Neuner, Johannes Beckers, Wolfgang Wurst, Stefan H. Stricker, Jovica Ninkovic
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher T. Breunig, Andrea M. Neuner, Jessica Giehrl-Schwab, Wolfgang Wurst, Magdalena Goetz, Stefan H. Stricker
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tjasa Lepko, Melanie Pusch, Tamara Mueller, Dorothea Schulte, Janina Ehses, Michael Kiebler, Julia Hasler, Hagen B. Huttner, Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke, Charysse Vandendriessche, Miha Modic, Ana Martin-Villalba, Sheng Zhao, Enric LLorens-Bobadilla, Anja Schneider, Andre Fischer, Christopher T. Breunig, Stefan H. Stricker, Magdalena Goetz, Jovica Ninkovic
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentin Baumann, Maximilian Wiesbeck, Christopher T. Breunig, Julia M. Braun, Anna Koeferle, Jovica Ninkovic, Magdalena Goetz, Stefan H. Stricker
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2019)
Review
Physiology
Christopher T. Breunig, Anna Koeferle, Andrea M. Neuner, Maximilian F. Wiesbeck, Valentin Baumann, Stefan H. Stricker
Summary: Despite knowing the potential genes that influence cell states, historical methods restricting manipulation of gene expression outside endogenous chromatin context have hindered understanding of how cells organize, interpret, and protect cellular programs. New methodological innovations are now providing opportunities to target and manipulate genomic and epigenomic loci for better understanding and manipulation of cellular states.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Stefan H. Stricker, Magdalena Goetz
Summary: The vulnerability of the mammalian brain lies in its limited ability to generate new neurons after maturation, but the direct conversion of non-neuronal cells to neurons offers a promising avenue for brain repair. Understanding the identity and chromatin hallmarks of induced neurons is crucial to avoid adverse effects and novel tools for manipulating specific epigenetic marks hold potential for erasing aberrant epigenetic memory and advancing therapeutic approaches for brain repair.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Stefan H. Stricker, Benedikt Berninger, Magdalena Goetz
CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Rosario Sanchez-Gonzalez, Christina Koupourtidou, Tjasa Lepko, Alessandro Zambusi, Klara Tereza Novoselc, Tamara Durovic, Sven Aschenbroich, Veronika Schwarz, Christopher T. Breunig, Hans Straka, Hagen B. Huttner, Martin Irmler, Johannes Beckers, Wolfgang Wurst, Andreas Zwergal, Tamas Schauer, Tobias Straub, Tim Czopka, Dietrich Truembach, Magdalena Goetz, Stefan H. Stricker, Jovica Ninkovic
Summary: The influx of cerebrospinal fluid after brain injury simultaneously activates toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2) and chemokine receptor 3 (Cxcr3) pathways, leading to increased OPC proliferation and exacerbated glial reactivity. Interference with these pathways alleviated reactive gliosis, increased new neuron recruitment, and improved tissue restoration after injury.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bob A. Hersbach, David S. Fischer, Giacomo Masserdotti, Deeksha, Karolina Mojzisova, Thomas Waltzhoeni, Diego Rodriguez-Terrones, Matthias Heinig, Fabian J. Theis, Magdalena Goetz, Stefan H. Stricker
Summary: Collide-seq, a single-cell protocol, has shed light on the basic principles of fate erasure and cell identity conflict resolution in direct reprogramming. It revealed the lack of a common mechanism for the loss of fibroblast-specific gene expression and showed that the abrupt transcriptional changes in converting cells occur when critical levels of reprogramming factors are reached. The study also demonstrated that reprogramming factors can disturb cell identity programs independent of their ability to bind their target genes.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Gianluca L. Russo, Giovanna Sonsalla, Poornemaa Natarajan, Christopher T. Breunig, Giorgia Bulli, Juliane Merl-Pham, Sabine Schmitt, Jessica Giehrl-Schwab, Florian Giesert, Martin Jastroch, Hans Zischka, Wolfgang Wurst, Stefan H. Stricker, Stefanie M. Hauck, Giacomo Masserdotti, Magdalena Goetz