Conversion of fibroblasts to functional Leydig like cells using defined small molecules

we report that fibroblasts can be efficiently and directly reprogrammed into Leydig-like cells by exposing to a combination of small molecules, Forskolin, 20a-hydroxycholesterol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and SB431542. The chemical compounds induced Leydig-like cells (CiLCs) expressed steroidogenic genes, had a global gene expression profile similar to that of Leydig cell, and acquired androgen synthesis capabilities. Overall design: A total of 6 samples(2 CiLCs, 2 MEFs, 2 LCs) were tested using the BGISEQ platform for this project to prove that the CiLC resemble Leydig cell in genome-wide gene expression profile.