Current progress and prospects of induced pluripotent stem cells.
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are derived from somatic cells by ectopic expression of few transcription factors. Like embryonic stem (ES) cells, iPS cells are able to self-renew indefinitely and to differentiate into all types of cells in the body. iPS cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine, because iPS cells circumvent not only immunological rejection but also ethical issues. Since the first report on the derivation of iPS cells in 2006, many laboratories all over the world started research on iPS cells and have made significant progress. This paper reviews recent progress in iPS cell research, including the methods to generate iPS cells, the molecular mechanism of reprogramming in the formation of iPS cells, and the potential applications of iPS cells in cell replacement therapy. Current problems that need to be addressed and the prospects for iPS research are also discussed.
Chen
LingYi
L
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China. lingyichen@nankai.edu.cn
Liu
Lin
L
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010957:Plasmids; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014162:Transfection
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D014157:Transcription Factors; D019098:Telomerase