Figure 1.

Generation of induced endothelial cells (iECs) from fibroblasts. iECs have been shown to be generated via two different routes. An indirect route involves the conversion of fibroblasts to iPSCs using the Yamanaka factors, which could then be differentiated into endothelial cells. Alternatively, transdifferentiation does not involve a pluripotent intermediate stage and forced expression of endothelial-specific transcription factors could directly convert fibroblasts to endothelial cells.