Direct conversion of human fibroblasts to brown adipocytes by small chemical compounds.

ABSTRACT: Brown adipocytes play an important role in human energy metabolism and prevention of obesity and diabetes. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a promising source for brown adipocytes; however, exogenous gene induction is generally required for iPSCs generation, which might cause undesired effects particularly in long-term treatment after transplantation. We have previously reported a cocktail of six small chemical compounds that enables a conversion of human fibroblasts into chemical compound-induced neuronal cells (CiNCs). Here, we report that modified combinations of the chemical compounds and rosiglitazone, a PPARγ agonist, afforded direct conversion of human fibroblasts into brown adipocytes. The chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) exhibit induction of human

SUBMITTER: Takeda Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5487346 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature