机构:[1]Sun Yat Sen Univ, Zhongshan Ophthalm Ctr, State Key Lab Ophthalmol, Guangzhou 510060, Peoples R China[2]Wuhan Univ, Eye Ctr, Renmin Hosp, Wuhan 430060, Peoples R China[3]Columbia Univ, Herbert Irving Comprehens Canc Ctr, Med Ctr, Room 312B,1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032 USA
Neural organoids provide a powerful tool for investigating neural development, modeling neural diseases, screening drugs, and developing cell-based therapies. Somatic cells have previously been reprogrammed by transcription factors (TFs) into sensory ganglion (SG) neurons but not SG organoids. We identify a combination of triple TFs Ascl1, Brn3b/3a, and Isl1 (ABI) as an efficient means to reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into self-organized and networked induced SG (iSG) organoids. The iSG neurons exhibit molecular features, subtype diversity, electrophysiological and calcium response properties, and innervation patterns characteristic of peripheral sensory neurons. Moreover, we have defined retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-specific identifiers to demonstrate the ability for ABI to reprogram induced RGCs (iRGCs) from fibroblasts. Unlike iSG neurons, iRGCs maintain a scattering distribution pattern characteristic of endogenous RGCs. iSG organoids may serve as a model to decipher the pathogenesis of sensorineural diseases and screen effective drugs and a source for cell replacement therapy.
基金:
National Natural Science Foundation of China [81670862, 81721003, 31871497, 81870682, 31700900]; National Key R&D Program of China [2017YFA0104100, 2018YFA0108300, 2017YFC1001300]; National Basic Research Program (973 Program) of China [2015CB964600]; Local Innovative and Research Teams Project of Guangdong Pearl River Talents Program, Science and Technology Planning Projects of Guangzhou City [201904020036, 201904010358]; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [2019 M650223]; Fundamental Research Funds of the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Sun Yat-sen University