Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell research overview.
Stem cells are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into a wide range of cell types with multiple clinical therapeutic applications. The two most important issues associated with embryonic stem (ES) cells are immune rejection and medical ethics. In 2006, induced pluripotent (iPS) cells were generated from somatic cells via the introduction of four transcriptional factors: OCT4, SOX2, c-MYC, and KLF4. Researchers found that iPS cell morphology, proliferation, surface antigens, gene expression, telomerase activity, and the epigenetic status of pluripotent cell-specific genes were similar to the same characteristics in ES cells. iPS cells are capable of overcoming hurdles associated with ES cells due to their generation from mature somatic cells (e.g., fibroblasts). For this reason, iPS cells are considered an increasingly important cell therapy technology. iPS cell production entails the use of retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenoviruses, plasmid transfections, transposons, or recombinant proteins. In this article we discuss the advantages and limitations of each strategy and address issues associated with clinical trials, including the potential for liver tumor formation and low generation efficiency.
Liu
Shih-Ping
SP
Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Fu
Ru-Huei
RH
Huang
Yu-Chuen
YC
Chen
Shih-Yin
SY
Chien
Ying-Jiun
YJ
Hsu
Chien Yu
CY
Tsai
Chang-Hai
CH
Shyu
Woei-Cherng
WC
Lin
Shinn-Zong
SZ
D000818:Animals; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C000715467:KLF4 protein, human; C000715468:Klf4 protein, mouse; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D035683:MicroRNAs; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494173:POU5F1 protein, human; D016271:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors