Chemically-induced osteogenic cells (ciOG) in PCL (polycarprolactone) film and NF (nanofiber)

Here we report the reprogramming of human fibroblasts to produce chemically-induced osteogenic cells (ciOG), and explore the potential uses of ciOG in bone repair and disease treatment. A chemical cocktail of RepSox, forskolin, and phenamil was used for osteogenic induction of fibroblasts by activation of RUNX2 expression. Following a maturation, the cells differentiated toward an osteoblast phenotype that produced mineralized tissue. When generated on a nanofiber substrate ciOG accelerated osteogenic gene expressions and mineralization compared to PCL film followed by bone matrix formation in a calvarial defect, indicating that the engineered biomaterial promotes the osteogenic capacity of ciOG in vivo. The transcriptome comparisons of ciOG and ciOG (M7p) in PCL film and NF