RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Direct conversion of human fibroblasts into osteoblasts and osteocytes with small molecules and a single factor, Runx2
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 127480
DO 10.1101/127480
A1 Yanjiao Li
A1 YaoLong Wang
A1 Juehua Yu
A1 Zhaoxia Ma
A1 Qiong Bai
A1 Xingfei Wu
A1 Pengfei Bao
A1 Lirong Li
A1 Daiping Ma
A1 Jinxue Liu
A1 Change Liu
A1 Fangyun Chen
A1 Min Hu
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/14/127480.abstract
AB Human osteoblasts can be induced from somatic cells by introducing defined factors, however, the strategy limits cells therapeutic applications for its multi-factor and complicated genetic manipulations that may bring uncertainty into the genome. Another important cell type in bone metabolism, osteocytes, which play a central role in regulating the dynamic nature of bone in all its diverse functions, have not been obtained from transdifferetiation so far. Herein, we have established procedures to convert human fibroblast directly into osteocyte-like and osteoblast-like cells using a single transcription factor, Runx2 and chemical cocktails by activating Wnt and cAMP/PKA pathways. These induced osteoblast-like cells express osteogenic markers and generate mineralized nodule deposition. A good performance of bone formation from these cells was observed in subcutaneous site of mouse at 4 weeks post-transplantation. Moreover, further studies convert human fibroblasts into osteocyte-like cells by orchestrating timing of the aforementioned chemical cocktails exposure. These osteocyte-like cells express osteocyte-specific markers and display characteristic morphology features of osteocytes. In summary, this study provides a promising strategy for cell-based therapy in bone regenerative medicine by direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into osteocytes and osteoblasts.