A groundbreaking breakthrough has been achieved in converting skin cells directly into functional neurons, paving the way for potential treatments of spinal cord injuries and diseases such as ALS.
A new process has been developed to convert skin cells directly into neurons, paving the way for potential treatments of spinal cord injuries and diseases such as ALS. Researchers at MIT have made significant advancements in this area, achieving a high efficiency rate of over 10 ‘neurons’ from a single skin cell.
Skin cells, also known as epithelial cells, are the outermost layer of your skin.
They form a protective barrier against external factors like water loss, temperature fluctuations, and pathogens.
There are three main types of skin cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Langerhans cells.
Keratinocytes produce keratin, a protein that gives skin its strength and rigidity.
Melanocytes produce melanin, responsible for skin pigmentation.
Langerhans cells play a crucial role in the immune system by recognizing and responding to foreign substances.
The Challenges of Reprogramming Cells
For nearly two decades, scientists have been working on reprogramming skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can then be differentiated into various cell types. However, this process is often time-consuming and yields low success rates. The researchers at MIT aimed to overcome these challenges by developing a simplified process that bypasses the iPSC stage.
The Breakthrough Process
Using mouse cells, the researchers identified a combination of three transcription factors (NGN2, ISL1, and LHX3) that can successfully convert skin cells into motor neurons. They also developed a modified virus to deliver these genes, allowing for efficient expression in each cell. The process was optimized to achieve high yields of neurons, with over 1100 percent efficiency.
Implications for Human Cell Conversion
The researchers hope to expand their findings to human cells, which would enable the generation of large quantities of motor neurons for potential use in treating spinal cord injuries and diseases such as ALS. Clinical trials using iPSC-derived neurons to treat ALS are already underway, but this breakthrough could make it easier to test and develop these treatments for widespread use.
Human cells are the basic structural and functional units of the human body.
They are estimated to be around 37.2 trillion in number, with each cell performing a unique function.
There are over 200 different types of cells in the human body, including 'nerve cells' , 'muscle cells' , 'blood cells' , and more.
Cells work together to maintain 'homeostasis' , respond to stimuli, and facilitate growth and development.
Future Directions
The MIT team plans to further refine their process to increase efficiency and explore the possibility of implanting these neurons into the spinal cord. This research has significant implications for the field of cell therapy and holds promise for treating a range of neurological disorders.
A neuron, also known as a nerve cell, is a specialized cell in the nervous system responsible for receiving, processing, and transmitting information.
With an estimated 86 billion neurons in the human brain, they play a crucial role in controlling movements, regulating emotions, and facilitating thought processes.
Neurons have three main parts: dendrites (receiving signals), cell body (processing signals), and axon (transmiting signals).
They communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals, enabling complex neural networks to form.
