Reprogramming of human urine cells into cardiomyocytes via a small molecule cocktail in xeno-free conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cell therapy, particularly using cardiomyocytes, shows significant promise for treating heart failure. Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into cardiomyocytes using small molecules is advantageous due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Human urine-derived cells (hUCs) were transdifferentiated into functional cardiomyocyte-like cells (hCiCMs) using a cocktail of 15 small molecules under xeno-free conditions. Various Characterizations were performed, including immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), qPCR, single-cell RNA sequencing, patch-clamp recordings, and intracellular Ca²⁺ measurements. The therapeutic potential was tested in both mouse and porcine models of myocardial infarction (MI).

Results

Reprogrammin

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12216017 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature