Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism
Generating specialized cell types via cellular transcription factor (TF)-mediated reprogramming has gained high interest in regenerative medicine due to its therapeutic potential to repair tissues and organs damaged by diseases or trauma. Organ dysfunction or improper tissue functioning might be res...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Developmental Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/37 |
| _version_ | 1797579417561595904 |
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| author | Ismail Özcan Baris Tursun |
| author_facet | Ismail Özcan Baris Tursun |
| author_sort | Ismail Özcan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Generating specialized cell types via cellular transcription factor (TF)-mediated reprogramming has gained high interest in regenerative medicine due to its therapeutic potential to repair tissues and organs damaged by diseases or trauma. Organ dysfunction or improper tissue functioning might be restored by producing functional cells via direct reprogramming, also known as transdifferentiation. Regeneration by converting the identity of available cells in vivo to the desired cell fate could be a strategy for future cell replacement therapies. However, the generation of specific cell types via reprogramming is often restricted due to cell fate-safeguarding mechanisms that limit or even block the reprogramming of the starting cell type. Nevertheless, efficient reprogramming to generate homogeneous cell populations with the required cell type’s proper molecular and functional identity is critical. Incomplete reprogramming will lack therapeutic potential and can be detrimental as partially reprogrammed cells may acquire undesired properties and develop into tumors. Identifying and evaluating molecular barriers will improve reprogramming efficiency to reliably establish the target cell identity. In this review, we summarize how using the nematode <i>C. elegans</i> as an in vivo model organism identified molecular barriers of TF-mediated reprogramming. Notably, many identified molecular factors have a high degree of conservation and were subsequently shown to block TF-induced reprogramming of mammalian cells. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:35:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-10eb12140c7b42a88c7262dc807b4971 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2221-3759 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:35:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Developmental Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-10eb12140c7b42a88c7262dc807b49712023-11-19T11:23:02ZengMDPI AGJournal of Developmental Biology2221-37592023-08-011133710.3390/jdb11030037Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model OrganismIsmail Özcan0Baris Tursun1Department of Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyGenerating specialized cell types via cellular transcription factor (TF)-mediated reprogramming has gained high interest in regenerative medicine due to its therapeutic potential to repair tissues and organs damaged by diseases or trauma. Organ dysfunction or improper tissue functioning might be restored by producing functional cells via direct reprogramming, also known as transdifferentiation. Regeneration by converting the identity of available cells in vivo to the desired cell fate could be a strategy for future cell replacement therapies. However, the generation of specific cell types via reprogramming is often restricted due to cell fate-safeguarding mechanisms that limit or even block the reprogramming of the starting cell type. Nevertheless, efficient reprogramming to generate homogeneous cell populations with the required cell type’s proper molecular and functional identity is critical. Incomplete reprogramming will lack therapeutic potential and can be detrimental as partially reprogrammed cells may acquire undesired properties and develop into tumors. Identifying and evaluating molecular barriers will improve reprogramming efficiency to reliably establish the target cell identity. In this review, we summarize how using the nematode <i>C. elegans</i> as an in vivo model organism identified molecular barriers of TF-mediated reprogramming. Notably, many identified molecular factors have a high degree of conservation and were subsequently shown to block TF-induced reprogramming of mammalian cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/37cellular reprogrammingtranscription factorreprogramming barriercell fate-safeguarding<i>C. elegans</i>RNAi |
| spellingShingle | Ismail Özcan Baris Tursun Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism Journal of Developmental Biology cellular reprogramming transcription factor reprogramming barrier cell fate-safeguarding <i>C. elegans</i> RNAi |
| title | Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism |
| title_full | Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism |
| title_fullStr | Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism |
| title_short | Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using <i>C. elegans</i> as a Model Organism |
| title_sort | identifying molecular roadblocks for transcription factor induced cellular reprogramming in vivo by using i c elegans i as a model organism |
| topic | cellular reprogramming transcription factor reprogramming barrier cell fate-safeguarding <i>C. elegans</i> RNAi |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2221-3759/11/3/37 |
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