Abstract
University of Central Florida researchers have developed a xeno-free and transgene-free method for reprogramming mesenchymal stem cells to neural stem cell-like cells. Neural stem cells are difficult to obtain for therapeutic use due to their location in the brain. As an alternative, multipotent mesenchymal stem cells are a potential source of neural stem cells, but must first be reprogrammed into neural cells. Traditional cell reprogramming techniques often use transgenes which can be associated with tumorigenesis, limiting the clinical use of the reprogrammed cells.
Technical Details
This technology relates to a method for producing neural stem cell-like cells from adult mesenchymal stem cells without the use of animal products such as serum or gene transfection. The mesenchymal stem cells are treated with 1) decitabine (5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine) for modulating epigeneticity and 2) exosomes derived from neural stem cells for lineage specific signals. The resultant neural progenitors are capable of expanding and differentiating towards cells expressing neural markers.
Benefit
Xeno-free and transgene-free cell differentiation
Market Application
Neuroregenerative therapies, autologous therapies
Publications
Xeno- and transgene-free reprogramming of mesenchymal stem cells toward the cells expressing neural markers using exosome treatments, PLoS One. 2020 Oct 13;15(10):e0240469. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240469.
Brochure
