Direct conversion of cardiac fibroblasts into endothelial-like cells using Sox17 and Erg.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells are a heterogeneous population with various organ-specific and conserved functions that are critical to organ development, function, and regeneration. Here we report a Sox17-Erg direct reprogramming approach that uses cardiac fibroblasts to create differentiated endothelial cells that demonstrate endothelial-like molecular and physiological functions in vitro and in vivo. Injection of these induced endothelial cells into myocardial infarct sites after injury results in improved vascular perfusion of the scar region. Furthermore, we use genomic analyses to illustrate that Sox17-Erg reprogramming instructs cardiac fibroblasts toward an arterial-like identity. This results in a more efficient direct conversion of fibroblasts into endothelial-like cells when compared to tradi

SUBMITTER: Farber G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11098819 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature