title: Molecular Obstacles to Clinical Translation of iPSCs.
abstract: The ability to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using defined factors provides new tools for biomedical research. However, some iPSC clones display tumorigenic and immunogenic potential, thus raising concerns about their utility and safety in the clinical setting. Furthermore, variability in iPSC differentiation potential has also been described. Here we discuss whether these therapeutic obstacles are specific to transcription-factor-mediated reprogramming or inherent to every cellular reprogramming method. Finally, we address whether a better understanding of the mechanism underlying the reprogramming process might improve the fidelity of reprogramming and, therefore, the iPSC quality.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedicine of Valencia, Spanish National Research Council, Jaime Roig 11, 46010 Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: ntapia@ibv.csic.es.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Röntgenstraße 20, 48149 Münster, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Münster, Domagkstraße 3, 48149 Münster, Germany. Electronic address: office@mpi-muenster.mpg.de.
authors.forename: Hans R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Schöler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D057026:Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical