부산대학교 도서관

The early limb bud consists of mesenchymal limb progenitors derived from the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM). The LPM also gives rise to the mesodermal components of the flank and neck. However, the cells at these other levels cannot produce the variety of cell types found in the limb. Taking advantage of a direct reprogramming approach, we find a set of factors (Prdm16, Zbtb16, and Lin28a) normally expressed in the early limb bud and capable of imparting limb progenitor-like properties to mouse non-limb fibroblasts. The reprogrammed cells show similar gene expression profiles and can differentiate into similar cell types as endogenous limb progenitors. The further addition of Lin41 potentiates the proliferation of the reprogrammed cells. These results suggest that these same four factors may play pivotal roles in the specification of endogenous limb progenitors. [Display omitted] • Established a primary 3D limb culture system that maintains early limb progenitor cells • Used a reprogramming approach to identify factors imbuing a limb progenitor state • Together, Prdm16, Zbtb16, and Lin28a can convert non-limb cells to limb progenitors • Trajectory analysis identifies Lin41 as facilitating reprogramming by the other factors Atsuta et al. identified a 3D limb culture protocol that can maintain limb progenitors in vitro and screened for factors that can reprogram non-limb mesenchyme to a limb progenitor state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]