Transdifferentiating Fibroblasts into Neurons

This protocol is intended as a guide only, for full experimental details please read the reference provided.

In Brief

Li et al. describe a protocol that uses a cocktail of small molecules to differentiate fibroblasts directly into neurons.

Mouse fibroblasts were cultured for 4 - 5 days. Fibroblast culture medium was then exchanged for induction medium, which resulted in cells with neuron-like morphology. After 20 days these cells were co-cultured with astrocytes in maturation medium, resulting in functional neurons.

Small Molecules Promote Formation of Neuron-like Cells from Fibroblasts

Cocktails

Induction MediumMaturation MediumSurvival enhancer
ISX 9 (Cat.No. 4439)20 μMForskolin (Cat.No. 1099)10 μMY-27632 (Cat.No. 1254)2 μM
Forskolin (Cat.No. 1099)100 μMbFGF50 ng/ml  
CHIR 99021 (Cat.No. 4423)20 μMBDNF20 ng/ml  
I-BET 151 (Cat.No. 4650)0.5 - 2.0 μMGDNF20 ng/ml  
Transdifferentiating Fibroblasts into Neurons

Reference

Li et al. (2015) Small-molecule-driven direct reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts into functional neurons. Cell Stem Cell 17 195. PMID: 26253201

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