Epigenetic modulators promote mesenchymal stem cell phenotype switches

Discoveries in recent years have suggested that some tissue specific adult stem cells in mammals might have the ability to differentiate into cell types from different germ layers. This phenomenon has been referred to as stem cell transdifferentiation or plasticity. Despite controversy, the current consensus holds that transdifferentiation does occur in mammals, but only within a limited range. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the switches in phenotype and development of the methods that will promote such type of conversions can open up endless possibilities for regenerative medicine. Epigenetic control contributes to various processes that lead to cellular plasticity and DNA and histone covalent modifications play a key role in these processes. Recently, we have been able to convert human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into neural-like cells by exposing cells to epigenetic modifiers and neural inducing factors. The goal of this study was to investigate the stability and plasticity of these transdifferentiated cells. To this end, neurally induced MSCs (NI-hMSCs) were exposed to adipocyte inducing factors. Grown for 24-48 h in fat induction media NI-hMSCs reversed their morphology into fibroblast-like cells and regained their proliferative properties. After 3 weeks approximately 6% of hMSCs differentiated into multilocular or plurivacuolar adipocyte cells that demonstrated by Oil Red O staining. Re-exposure of these cultures or the purified adipocytes to neural induction medium induced the cells to re-differentiate into neuronal-like cells. These data suggest that cell plasticity can be manipulated by the combination of small molecule modulators of chromatin modifying enzymes and specific cell signaling pathways.