DIRECT REPROGRAMMING OF CARDIAC FIBROBLASTS INTO CARDIOMYOCYTES USING AN ENDOTHELIAL CELL TRANSDIFFERENTIATION STRATEGY

摘要

Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and compositions related to improving cardiomyocyte production by exposing starting cells to ETV2 and/or VEGF. The starting cells in specific embodiments are fibroblasts and/or endothelial cells, and following exposure to ETV2 and/or VEGF the resultant cells are exposed to one or more cardiomyocyte transdifferentiation factors, such as GATA4, myocyte enhancer factor-2c (Mef2c), T-box transcription factor 5 (TBX5), or a combination thereof. The produced cardiomyocytes are provided to individuals in need thereof, in particular embodiments.