Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) and their application in immunotherapy

Abstract

The ever-improving technology to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has increased their potential use as novel candidates for disease modeling, drug screening, regenerative medicine and cell therapy. Indeed, iPSCs offer extensive capacity for self-renewal without the ethical concerns faced by embryonic stem cells (ESCs). With respect to potential applications in the immune system, many studies provide evidence to support that there are exclusive advantages to using iPSCs over other systems. Both hematopoietic stem cells and several types of mature immune cells have successfully been reprogrammed to iPSCs and vice versa, paving a path toward our ability to effectively model patient-specific diseases and provide potentially alternative cell sources for transfusion medicine. Despite these potential advances, some limitations regarding the use of iPSCs in the clinic still remain, including the immunogenicity of iPSCs and their derivatives, which is currently under debate in the field. In this review, we mainly focus on discussing the recent progress being made in the latest differentiation methods and clinical implications of iPSCs with respect to the immune system. Additionally, current issues regarding the clinical application of iPSCs are addressed, especially the controversy surrounding immunogenicity, along with various other perspectives.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells have Similar Immunogenic and More Potent Immunomodulatory Properties Compared with Bone Marrow-Derived Stromal Cells in Vitro

“…Additionally, iPSCs avoid the ethical concerns surrounding the isolation and use of human ESCs [4]. However, many concerns have been raised over the safety of iPSCs in terms of genetic instability, tumorigenic potential and immunogenic potential [4–10]. It has become evident that iPSC lines must be thoroughly screened for stability, safety and efficacy prior to clinical application [7,10].…”

Allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells: Perspectives and alternatives, own experience

“…Возможность применения индуцированных плю-рипотентных стволовых клеток (полученных, на-пример, из эмбриональных стволовых клеток) в ге-матологии позволит улучшить клеточную терапию индуцированными Т-клетками, NK-клетками, ден-дритными клетками, а в перспективе -и получить индуцированную ГСК, хотя все еще не решенными остаются проблемы иммуногенности [143].…”

Current challenges in the therapeutic use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in cancer therapy

“…Most of the cancers are caused due to a mutation in a specific gene; the mutated gene of patient cells can be corrected through genome editing tools. The corrected cells of patient can be converted into iPSCs and differentiate them into specific-lineage of cells which could be used further in autologous transplantation approach as a therapy in future [51]. For instance, mammary gland is the primary target of breast cancer caused by the mutations in the BRCA1/ BRCA2 genes [52] Treatment for breast cancer usually involves a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy which often results in damaging the mammary glands.…”