Electromagnetized gold nanoparticles mediate direct lineage reprogramming into induced dopamine neurons in vivo for Parkinson's disease therapy

Junsang Yoo, Euiyeon Lee, Hee Young Kim, Dong Ho Youn, Junghyun Jung, Hongwon Kim, Yujung Chang, Wonwoong Lee, Jaein Shin, Soonbong Baek, Wonhee Jang, Won Jun, Soochan Kim, Jongki Hong, Hi Joon Park, Christopher J. Lengner, Sang Hyun Moh, Youngeun Kwon, Jongpil Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

121 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are physical energy fields generated by electrically charged objects, and specific ranges of EMF can influence numerous biological processes, which include the control of cell fate and plasticity. In this study, we show that electromagnetized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the presence of specific EMF conditions facilitate an efficient direct lineage reprogramming to induced dopamine neurons in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, electromagnetic stimulation leads to a specific activation of the histone acetyltransferase Brd2, which results in histone H3K27 acetylation and a robust activation of neuron-specific genes. In vivo dopaminergic neuron reprogramming by EMF stimulation of AuNPs efficiently and non-invasively alleviated symptoms in mouse Parkinson's disease models. This study provides a proof of principle for EMF-based in vivo lineage conversion as a potentially viable and safe therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1006-1014
Number of pages9
JournalNature Nanotechnology
Volume12
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2017

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