title: Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells: a new source for cell-based therapeutics?
abstract: The generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from somatic cells by the ectopic expression of defined transcription factors has provided the regenerative medicine field with a new tool for cell replacement strategies. The advantages that these pluripotent cells can offer in comparison to other sources of stem cells include the generation of patient-derived cells and the lack of embryonic tissue while maintaining a versatile differentiation potential. The promise of iPS cell derivatives for therapeutic applications is encouraging albeit very early in development, with the first clinical study currently ongoing in Japan. Many challenges are yet to be circumvented before this technology can be clinically translated widely though. The delivery and expression of the reprogramming factors, the genomic instability, epigenetic memory and impact of cell propagation in culture are only some of the concerns. This article aims to critically discuss the potential of iPS cells as a new source of cell therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom; UCL School of Life & Medical Sciences, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AX London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: de Lázaro
authors.affiliation: Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom; UCL School of Life & Medical Sciences, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AX London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Açelya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yilmazer
authors.affiliation: Nanomedicine Lab, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Manchester M13 9NT, United Kingdom; UCL School of Life & Medical Sciences, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AX London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: kostas.kostarelos@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostarelos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods
keywords: Cell replacement therapy; Pluripotency; Regenerative medicine; Reprogramming