Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into renal tubular epithelial cells by defined transcription factors

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into renal tubular epithelial cells by defined transcription factors
Creators Name:	Kaminski, M.M., Tosic, J., Kresbach, C., Engel, H., Klockenbusch, J., Müller, A.L., Pichler, R., Grahammer, F., Kretz, O., Huber, T.B., Walz, G., Arnold, S.J. and Lienkamp, S.S.
Abstract:	Direct reprogramming by forced expression of transcription factors can convert one cell type into another. Thus, desired cell types can be generated bypassing pluripotency. However, direct reprogramming towards renal cells remains an unmet challenge. Here, we identify renal cell fate-inducing factors on the basis of their tissue specificity and evolutionarily conserved expression, and demonstrate that combined expression of Emx2, Hnf1b, Hnf4a and Pax8 converts mouse and human fibroblasts into induced renal tubular epithelial cells (iRECs). iRECs exhibit epithelial features, a global gene expression profile resembling their native counterparts, functional properties of differentiated renal tubule cells and sensitivity to nephrotoxic substances. Furthermore, iRECs integrate into kidney organoids and form tubules in decellularized kidneys. Our approach demonstrates that reprogramming factors can be identified by targeted in silico analysis. Renal tubular epithelial cells generated ex vivo by forced expression of transcription factors may facilitate disease modelling, drug and nephrotoxicity testing, and regenerative approaches.
Keywords:	Cell Aggregation, Cell Lineage, Cell Proliferation, Cell Shape, Cellular Reprogramming, Cluster Analysis, Cultured Cells, Epithelial Cells, Fibroblasts, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Gene Expression Profiling, Kidney Tubules, Mammalian Embryo, Nephrons, Organoids, Transcription Factors, Animals, Xenopus
Source:	Nature Cell Biology
ISSN:	1465-7392
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	18
Number:	12
Page Range:	1269-1280
Date:	December 2016
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb3437
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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