A multi-omics study to characterize the transdifferentiation of human dermal fibroblasts to osteoblast-like cells

Abstract

Graphical AbstractIn this study, we developed an in vitro technique to transdifferentiate human dermal fibroblasts into osteoblast-like cells. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, the true progenitors of osteoblasts, were utilized as reference cell lines. We characterized the osteoblastic differentiation in the two cell types using transcriptomics and quantitative MS-based proteomics and phosphoproteomics. The osteoblastic-like phenotype was confirmed in both cell types by positive alkaline phosphatase and mineralization staining methods. In addition, both cell types showed altered gene and protein profiles in compliance with an osteoblastic differentiation.