Decoding the spatiotemporal regulation of transcription factors during human spinal cord development

This study explores how the human spinal cord develops by looking at which genes are turned on and off in different cells at different times and locations. The researchers used advanced techniques to map the location and activity of genes, especially those that control other genes, called transcription factors. The researchers found that the development of the spinal cord follows a specific plan where certain cells appear in specific places and at specific times. They also discovered that some of the genes that control this process are similar to those in other animals, but some are unique to humans. They looked at microglia, special immune cells in the spinal cord, and found some that are similar to those seen in ALS, a disease that affects motor neurons. This suggests that these microglia may play a role in the disease.

• 1
  Identified the spatial distribution of neural progenitor cells characterized by combinatorial TFs along the dorsoventral axis.
• 2
  Observed a sandwich-like organization of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons transiently appearing in the dorsal horns of the developing human spinal cord.
• 3
  Identified disease-associated microglia (DAM)-like microglia groups in the developing human spinal cord, which are predicted to be vulnerable to ALS.