PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Yanjiao Li
AU  - YaoLong Wang
AU  - Juehua Yu
AU  - Zhaoxia Ma
AU  - Qiong Bai
AU  - Xingfei Wu
AU  - Pengfei Bao
AU  - Lirong Li
AU  - Daiping Ma
AU  - Jinxue Liu
AU  - Change Liu
AU  - Fangyun Chen
AU  - Min Hu
TI  - Direct conversion of human fibroblasts into osteoblasts and osteocytes with small molecules and a single factor, Runx2
AID  - 10.1101/127480
DP  - 2017 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 127480
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/14/127480.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/04/14/127480.full
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.