biostudies-literatureJi SFthe National Natural Science Foundation of China13https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8962256biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)<h4>Background</h4>Large skin defects severely disrupt the overall skin structure and can irreversibly damage sweat glands (SG), thus impairing the skin's physiological function. This study aims to develop a stepwise reprogramming strategy to convert fibroblasts into SG lineages, which may provide a promising method to obtain desirable cell types for the functional repair and regeneration of damaged skin.<h4>Methods</h4>The expression of the SG markers cytokeratin 5 (CK5), cytokeratin 10 (CK10), cytokeratin 18 (CK18), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was assessed with quantitative PCR (qPCR), immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Calcium activity analysis was conducted to test the function of induced SG-like cells (iSGCs). Mouse xenograMilitary Medical ResearchSmall molecules facilitate single factor-mediated sweat gland cell reprogramming.PMC896225681871569Sun XYZhou LXLi YSun ZFChen HTXiang JBJi SFCui SYGao HHFu XBLiu YQfalseSmall molecules facilitate single factor-mediated sweat gland cell reprogramming.<h4>Background</h4>Large skin defects severely disrupt the overall skin structure and can irreversibly damage sweat glands (SG), thus impairing the skin's physiological function. This study aims to develop a stepwise reprogramming strategy to convert fibroblasts into SG lineages, which may provide a promising method to obtain desirable cell types for the functional repair and regeneration of damaged skin.<h4>Methods</h4>The expression of the SG markers cytokeratin 5 (CK5), cytokeratin 10 (CK10), cytokeratin 18 (CK18), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was assessed with quantitative PCR (qPCR), immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Calcium activity analysis was conducted to test the function of induced SG-like cells (iSGCs). Mouse xenogra2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2026-06-20T04:51:38.309Z2025-04-06T15:49:27.761ZS-EPMC89622563535119210.1186/s40779-022-00372-5