Chemically Induced Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Pluripotent Stem Cells and Neural Cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Feb 6;17(2):226. doi: 10.3390/ijms17020226.

Abstract

The ability to generate transplantable neural cells in a large quantity in the laboratory is a critical step in the field of developing stem cell regenerative medicine for neural repair. During the last few years, groundbreaking studies have shown that cell fate of adult somatic cells can be reprogrammed through lineage specific expression of transcription factors (TFs)-and defined culture conditions. This key concept has been used to identify a number of potent small molecules that could enhance the efficiency of reprogramming with TFs. Recently, a growing number of studies have shown that small molecules targeting specific epigenetic and signaling pathways can replace all of the reprogramming TFs. Here, we provide a detailed review of the studies reporting the generation of chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (ciPSCs), neural stem cells (ciNSCs), and neurons (ciN). We also discuss the main mechanisms of actions and the pathways that the small molecules regulate during chemical reprogramming.

Keywords: chemical reprogramming; induced pluripotent stem cells; neural stem cells; neurons; reprogramming; small molecules.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Transdifferentiation / genetics
  • Cellular Reprogramming / drug effects*
  • Cellular Reprogramming Techniques
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neural Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Neural Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Transcription Factors