Table 3 All studies used transcription factors to reprogram human fibroblasts into NSCs and NPCs
| Target cell type | Reprogramming factors | Reprogramming mechanism | Effects on neural cells induction | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSCs | SOX2 | Unknown | Inhibit differentiation of NSCs and maintain its proliferation | Ring et al. 2012 [34] |
| NPCs | ZIC3, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 | Unknown | Play important roles in the maintenance of ESCs and neuroprogenitor cells pluripotency | Kumar et al. 2012 [106] |
| NSCs | OCT4 | SOX2 activation | Induce the transformation from fibroblasts to proliferating NSCs | Mitchell et al. 2014 [63] |
| BRN2 activation | ||||
| MYT1L activation | ||||
| NEUROD1 activation | ||||
| NPCs | SOX2 | Unknown | Play an essential role in the maintenance of both ES cells and NSCs and prevents cell differentiation | Zou et al. 2014 [83] |
| C-MYC | A pivotal target of Wnt-β-catenin signaling | Improve proliferation and promote reprogramming, regulate the neuronal differentiation of NPCs and the expansion of basal progenitors | ||
| BRN2 | Other proneural genes (e.g. Tbr2) activation, diminish the Notch-directed transcription of HES5 | Promote neurogenesis | ||
| BRN4 | Unknown | Elevate neuronal differentiation and maturation from NSCs | ||
| NSCs | let-7 microRNA | HMGA2 activation | Increase SOX2 reprogramming efficiency | Yu et al. 2015 [57] |
| SOX2 | HMGA2 activation | Unknown | ||
| NSCs | Zfp521 | Unknown | Maintain the NSC identity of the medulla oblongata | Shahbazi et al. 2016 [65] |
| NSCs | OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, L-MYC, LIN28 | Unknown | Unknown | Capetian et al. 2016 [107] |
| A small hairpin directed against p53 | Unknown | Enhance the reprogramming process | ||
| NSCs | SOX2 | Unknown | Unknown | Sung et al. 2017 [64] |
| HMGA2 | Unknown | Increase reprogramming efficiency | ||
| NSCs | PTF1A | Bind with RBPJ to form trimer DNA complex | Activate the reprogramming process, make NSCs maintain self-renewal ability and NSC identity and prevent excessive neuronal differentiation of NSCs |
Xiao et al. 2018 [16] Kangxin et al. 2020 [67] |
| NPCs | CBX2, HES1, ID1, TFAP2A, ZFP42, ZNF423 | Unknown | Increase proliferation of NSCs decrease apoptosis, keep rostral identity | Hou et al. 2017 [108] |
| FOXG1, GATA3, NR2A2, PAX6, SALL2, TFAP2A, ZFP42 | Conducive to neuron lineage differentiation and keep caudal identity |