Direct conversion of mouse embryonic fibroblasts toward oligodendrocyte precursor cells
Abstract
In recent years, direct reprogramming of somatic cells toward oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) has been introduced as an ideal strategy in regenerative medicine. Here we have investigated the effect of miR-7a on conversion of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to OPC like cells in vitro. To this end, cultured MEFs were transfected with miR-7a. After that, cells were harvested and the relative gene expression level of miR-7a was assessed using real time PCR. In order to investigate the effect of miR-7a overexpression on conversion of MEFs to OPC like cells, transfected cells were cultured in OPC specific culture medium for 1 or 2 weeks after transfection. Immunotsianing against NG2 as OPC specific marker was used to assess the number of OPC positive cells. Our data showed the gene expression level of miR-7a significantly increases in transfected cells following miR-7a mimic administration. NG2 immunostaining demonstrated that some transfected MEFs were successfully converted to OPC like cells at days 7 or 14 post culture in OPC specific medium. Overall, the results of present study indicate that miR-7a could successfully convert MEFs to OPC like cells in vitro.