Excision of reprogramming transgenes improves the differentiation potential of iPS cells generated with a single excisable vector.
The residual presence of integrated transgenes following the derivation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells is highly undesirable. Here we demonstrate efficient derivation of iPS cells free of exogenous reprogramming transgenes using an excisable polycistronic lentiviral vector. A novel version of this vector containing a reporter fluorochrome allows direct visualization of vector excision in living iPS cells in real time. We find that removal of the reprogramming vector markedly improves the developmental potential of iPS cells and significantly augments their capacity to undergo directed differentiation in vitro. We further propose that methods to efficiently excise reprogramming transgenes with minimal culture passaging, such as those demonstrated here, are critical since we find that iPS cells may acquire chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy of chromosome 8, similar to embryonic stem cells after expansion in culture. Our findings illustrate an efficient method for the generation of transgene-free iPS cells and emphasize the potential beneficial effects that may result from elimination of integrated reprogramming factors. In addition, our results underscore the consequences of long-term culture that will need to be taken into account for the clinical application of iPS cells.
Sommer
Cesar A
CA
Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Sommer
Andreia Gianotti
AG
Longmire
Tyler A
TA
Christodoulou
Constantina
C
Thomas
Dolly D
DD
Gostissa
Monica
M
Alt
Fred W
FW
Murphy
George J
GJ
Kotton
Darrell N
DN
Mostoslavsky
Gustavo
G
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D019426:Integrases / Q000378:metabolism; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013724:Teratoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D019076:Transgenes; D014314:Trisomy; D016662:Virus Integration
D015415:Biomarkers; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494174:Pou5f1 protein, mouse; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C527783:Sox2 protein, mouse; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases