title: Have we reached the point for in vivo rejuvenation?
abstract: Stem cells are the major factor ensuring mammalian regeneration. Cell replacement therapy is an attempt to follow this natural process. Another strategy suggests a controlled de-differentiation of somatic cells to a stem-like state with subsequent re-differentiation. Indeed, the cultured mammalian somatic cells may be reprogrammed to a pluripotent state by the induction of a specific set of genes. The next logical step toward the goal of organism rejuvenation is to test the possibility of inducing the pluripotent state in somatic cells in vivo. Such an approach has the potential to improve upon and overcome several obstacles facing today's cell replacement therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Multidisciplinary Research on Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abramovich
authors.forename: Khachik K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Muradian
authors.forename: Vadim E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Fraifeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D006801:Humans; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D012060:Rejuvenation / Q000502:physiology*