A Comparative View on Human Somatic Cell Sources for iPSC Generation

Abstract

The breakthrough of reprogramming human somatic cells was achieved in 2006 by the work of Yamanaka and Takahashi. From this point, fibroblasts are the most commonly used primary somatic cell type for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Various characteristics of fibroblasts supported their utilization for the groundbreaking experiments of iPSC generation. One major advantage is the high availability of fibroblasts which can be easily isolated from skin biopsies. Furthermore, their cultivation, propagation, and cryoconservation properties are uncomplicated with respect to nutritional requirements and viability in culture. However, the required skin biopsy remains an invasive approach, representing a major drawback for using fibroblasts as the starting material. More and more studies appeared over the last years, describing the reprogramming of other human somatic cell types. Cells isolated from blood samples or urine, as well as more unexpected cell types, like pancreatic islet beta cells, synovial cells, or mesenchymal stromal cells from wisdom teeth, show promising characteristics for a reprogramming strategy. Here, we want to highlight the advantages of keratinocytes from human plucked hair as a widely usable, noninvasive harvesting method for primary material in comparison with other commonly used cell types.

Good Cell Culture Practice for stem cells and stem-cell-derived models

“…Various primary cell types have been successfully used for somatic reprogramming (Raab et al, 2014). Fibroblasts derived from skin punches have been the primary choice of somatic cells but blood has emerged as an appealing alternative.…”

Blood Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Benefits, Challenges and the Road Ahead

“…These cell types include peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), neuronal progenitor cells, keratinocytes, hepatocytes, kidneys, muscles, adrenal glands, and fibroblasts of mouse tail tips [13,19]. Indeed, these sources exhibit various levels of ease, efficacy, and cost in iPSC production.…”

“…Differences in efficiency of iPSC derivation from distinct sources have been attributed to the original epigenetic state of the adult somatic cell type and its requirement to go through multiple steps of de-differentiation (e.g. mesenchymal to epithelial transition) to reach a pluripotent state [19]. Our laboratory was the first to use PBMCs to generate patient-specific iPSCs from individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and has extensively studied the adequacy of this iPSC source and reprogramming methods for the purpose of modeling ASD [18].…”

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies for Degenerative Disease of the Outer Retina: Disease Modeling and Cell Replacement

“…iPSC have been so far reprogrammed from several different somatic cells types, including fibroblasts, 15,16 blood mononuclear cells, 17 peripheral blood cells, 18 human astrocytes, 19 renal epithelial cells present in urine, 20 and different types of cells associated with the hair (keratinocytes, 21 follicle dermal papilla, 22 and as reviewed in Ref. 23 ). hIPSC are considered to have pluripotency properties equivalent to those of human ESC, derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst.…”