Small Molecule Cocktails Promote Fibroblast-to-Leydig-like Cell Conversion for Hypogonadism Therapy.

ABSTRACT: Male hypogonadism arises from the inadequate production of testosterone (T) by the testes, primarily due to Leydig cell (LC) dysfunction. Small molecules possess several advantages, including high cell permeability, ease of synthesis, standardization, and low effective concentration. Recent investigations have illuminated the potential of small molecule combinations to facilitate direct lineage reprogramming, removing the need for transgenes by modulating cellular signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications. In this study, we have identified a specific cocktail of small molecules, comprising forskolin, DAPT, purmorphamine, 8-Br-cAMP, 20α-hydroxycholesterol, and SAG, capable of promoting the conversion of fibroblasts into Leydig-like cells (LLCs). These LLCs expressed key genes involved

SUBMITTER: Yuan F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10610100 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature