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Induction of Neural Lineages from Mesoderm and Endoderm by Defined Transcription Factors

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Programmed Cells from Basic Neuroscience to Therapy

Part of the book series: Research and Perspectives in Neurosciences ((NEUROSCIENCE,volume 20))

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Abstract

A major interest in developmental biology is the lineage plasticity of specialized cells. We recently generated induced neuronal (iN) cells from fibroblasts and hepatocytes by expression of defined pan-neuronal transcription factors. Moreover, we were able to generate induced neural precursor (iNP) cells following a similar transcription factor-based strategy, suggesting that cell fate plasticity is much wider than previously anticipated. Further studies showed that addition of subtype-specific regulators was sufficient to induce characteristic neuronal subtypes such as dopamine and motor neurons. Here, we review the most recent developments of our own research efforts as well as the relevant findings in the field as they pertain to direct induction of neural lineages. The derivation of neuronal cells from patient fibroblasts holds great promise to uncover human neurological disease mechanisms and to provide a donor source for autologous therapeutic transplantation. Similar to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, much has yet to be learned about iN cells before clinical translation can be realized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Marius Wernig

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  1. Marius Wernig
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Correspondence to Marius Wernig .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute f. Biological Studies, North Torrey Pines Road 10010, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Fred H. Gage

  2. Fondation Ipsen, Quai George Gorse 65, Boulogne Billancourt, 92650, France

    Yves Christen

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Wernig, M. (2013). Induction of Neural Lineages from Mesoderm and Endoderm by Defined Transcription Factors. In: Gage, F., Christen, Y. (eds) Programmed Cells from Basic Neuroscience to Therapy. Research and Perspectives in Neurosciences, vol 20. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36648-2_3

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