title: Reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotency: a fresh look at Yamanaka's model.
abstract: In 2006, Dr Shinya Yamanaka succeeded to reprogram somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) by delivering the genes encoding Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. This achievement represents a fundamental breakthrough in stem cell biology and opens up a new era in regenerative medicine. However, the molecular processes by which somatic cells are reprogrammed into iPSC remain poorly understood. In 2009, Yamanaka proposed the elite and stochastic models for reprogramming mechanisms. To date, many investigators in the field of iPSC research support the concept of stochastic model, i.e., somatic cell reprogramming is an event of epigenetic transformation. A mathematical model, f (Cd, k), has also been proposed to predict the stochastic process. Here we wish to revisit the Yamanaka model and summarize the recent advances in this research field.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery; First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University; Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China; Texas Heart Institute; Houston, TX USA.
authors.forename: Yangxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhenya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Harnath
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shelat
authors.forename: Yong-Jian
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Geng
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D008745:Methylation; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013269:Stochastic Processes; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; C000715467:KLF4 protein, human; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Yamanaka model; deterministic phase; epigenetic transformation; iPSC; mathematical model; stochastic phase