An introduction to induced pluripotent stem cells.
Recent landmark studies show that it is now possible to convert somatic cells, such as skin fibroblasts and B lymphocytes, into pluripotent stem cells that closely resemble embryonic stem cells. These induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be generated without using human embryos or oocytes, thus bypassing some of the ethical issues that have limited the use of human embryonic stems (hES) cells. Additionally, they can be derived from the patient to be treated, thereby overcoming problems of immunological rejection associated with the use of allogeneic hES cell derived progenitors. Whilst these patient-specific iPS cells have great clinical potential, their immediate utility is likely to be in drug screening and for understanding the disease process. This review discusses the promise of iPS cells as well as the challenges to their use in the clinic.
Hanley
Joanna
J
Department of Haematology, UCL Cancer Institute, London, UK.
Rastegarlari
Ghasem
G
Nathwani
Amit C
AC
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D033041:Embryo Research / Q000941:ethics; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D051379:Mice