Is iPS cell the panacea?
In 2006, it was reported that transgenic expression of merely four defined transcription factors (c-Myc, Klf4, Oct4, and Sox2) is sufficient to reprogram somatic cells to a pluripotent state. The resulting induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells ignited intense interest in the field of life science for their promising applications in basic biology, drug development, and transplantation. However, the underlying problems of iPS cells seem to be ignored. This review shed light on the problems pertaining iPS cells, including the elusive origin, risk of tumorgenesis, and its relationship with natural selection.
Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Li
L
Ou
Xiaochen
X
Wang
Fangdong
F
Zou
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000941:ethics; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000941:ethics*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D012641:Selection, Genetic / Q000502:physiology; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C000715467:KLF4 protein, human; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; C489427:MYC protein, human; C486780:NANOG protein, human; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494173:POU5F1 protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase