Donor-cell memory confers metastable state of directly converted cells

How the phenotypic instability of directly converted cells influences in vivo functional consequences is largely unknown. Here we show that the directly converted iOPCs exhibit a metastable state, such that they can progress to mature oligodendrocytes or revert back to the donor-cell type in a context-dependent fashion. Thus, therapeutic use of such cells will require a more detailed understanding of mechanisms by which the fate of directly converted cells may be rendered durable. Overall design: Direct conversion of MEFs and PCs into iOPCs by ectopic expression of Olig2, Sox10 and Nkx6.2