Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective

Since the reprogramming of adult human terminally differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) became a reality in 2007, only eight years have passed. Yet over this relatively short period, myriad experiments have revolutionized previous stem cell dogmata. The tremendous...

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Main Authors: Alexandra Zirra, Sarah Wiethoff, Rickie Patani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8291260
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author Alexandra Zirra
Sarah Wiethoff
Rickie Patani
author_facet Alexandra Zirra
Sarah Wiethoff
Rickie Patani
author_sort Alexandra Zirra
collection DOAJ
description Since the reprogramming of adult human terminally differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) became a reality in 2007, only eight years have passed. Yet over this relatively short period, myriad experiments have revolutionized previous stem cell dogmata. The tremendous promise of hiPSC technology for regenerative medicine has fuelled rising expectations from both the public and scientific communities alike. In order to effectively harness hiPSCs to uncover fundamental mechanisms of disease, it is imperative to first understand the developmental neurobiology underpinning their lineage restriction choices in order to predictably manipulate cell fate to desired derivatives. Significant progress in developmental biology provides an invaluable resource for rationalising directed differentiation of hiPSCs to cellular derivatives of the nervous system. In this paper we begin by reviewing core developmental concepts underlying neural induction in order to provide context for how such insights have guided reductionist in vitro models of neural conversion from hiPSCs. We then discuss early factors relevant in neural patterning, again drawing upon crucial knowledge gained from developmental neurobiological studies. We conclude by discussing open questions relating to these concepts and how their resolution might serve to strengthen the promise of pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine.
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spelling doaj-art-1e8b08149e8b40209faf4a1cdb35b6622025-08-20T02:03:50ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-966X1687-96782016-01-01201610.1155/2016/82912608291260Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental PerspectiveAlexandra Zirra0Sarah Wiethoff1Rickie Patani2Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UKDepartment of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UKDepartment of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UKSince the reprogramming of adult human terminally differentiated somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) became a reality in 2007, only eight years have passed. Yet over this relatively short period, myriad experiments have revolutionized previous stem cell dogmata. The tremendous promise of hiPSC technology for regenerative medicine has fuelled rising expectations from both the public and scientific communities alike. In order to effectively harness hiPSCs to uncover fundamental mechanisms of disease, it is imperative to first understand the developmental neurobiology underpinning their lineage restriction choices in order to predictably manipulate cell fate to desired derivatives. Significant progress in developmental biology provides an invaluable resource for rationalising directed differentiation of hiPSCs to cellular derivatives of the nervous system. In this paper we begin by reviewing core developmental concepts underlying neural induction in order to provide context for how such insights have guided reductionist in vitro models of neural conversion from hiPSCs. We then discuss early factors relevant in neural patterning, again drawing upon crucial knowledge gained from developmental neurobiological studies. We conclude by discussing open questions relating to these concepts and how their resolution might serve to strengthen the promise of pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8291260
spellingShingle Alexandra Zirra
Sarah Wiethoff
Rickie Patani
Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
Stem Cells International
title Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
title_full Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
title_fullStr Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
title_short Neural Conversion and Patterning of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Developmental Perspective
title_sort neural conversion and patterning of human pluripotent stem cells a developmental perspective
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8291260
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