title: Conversion of mouse fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cells using small molecule treatments.
abstract: The possibility of controlling cell fates by overexpressing specific transcription factors has led to numerous studies in stem cell research. Small molecules can be used, instead of transcription factors, to induce the de-differentiation of somatic cells or to induce pluripotent cells (iPSCs). Here we reported that combinations of small molecules could convert mouse fibroblasts into cardiomyocyte-like cell without requiring transcription factor expression. Treatment with specific combinations of small molecules that are enhancer for iPSC induction converted mouse fibroblasts into spontaneously contracting, cardiac troponin T-positive, cardiomyocyte-like cells. We specifically identified five small molecules that can induce mouse fibroblasts to form these cardiomyocyte-like cells. These cells are similar to primary cardiomyocytes in terms of marker gene expression, epigenetic status of cardiac-specific genes, and subcellular structure. Our findings indicate that lineage conversion can be induced not only by transcription factors, but also by small molecules.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Gyuman
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Sun
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Neuroscience Research Institute, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Sik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Cheol
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jai-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Suhyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jihye
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wonjin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chi-Yeon
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do-Sun
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Neuroscience Research Institute, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yang In
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: choh@korea.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Chil Hwan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Function Regulation, Division of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bioseung@korea.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Seungkwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: You
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008970:Molecular Weight; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Induced cardiomyocyte-like cells; Lineage conversion; Mouse fibroblasts; Small molecule