title: Regeneration through reprogramming adult cell identity in vivo.
abstract: The discovery and in vivo application of cell fate reprogramming concepts have jumpstarted new technologies aimed at the functional regeneration of damaged tissues. As most adult organ systems retain only a limited potential for self-regeneration after trauma, the production of fate-specific cells by in vivo transdifferentiation offers a targeted method for tissue bioengineering. Proof-of-principle studies have demonstrated the induction of neural precursor cells, neurons, cardiomyocytes, and insulin-producing β islet cells. Each of these induced cell types survive, mature, and integrate into the local environment in a functionally meaningful manner. Here, we briefly highlight recent advances in the in vivo reprogramming of cell identity and the current challenges that face the clinical relevance of these methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: Derek K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: chun-li.zhang@utsouthwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Chun-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000166:cytology; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology