Perspectives for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem cell technology makes in vitro reprogramming of somatic cells from individualswith various genetic backgrounds possible. By applying this technology, it is possible to produce pluripotent stem cells from biopsy samples of arbitrarily selected individuals with various genetic backgrounds and to subsequently maintain, expand, and stock these cells. From these induced pluripotent stem cells, target cells and tissues can be generated after certain differentiation processes. These target cells/tissues are expected to be useful in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, drug screening, toxicology testing, and proof-of-concept studies in drug development. Therefore, the number of publications concerning induced pluripotent stem cells has recently been increasing rapidly, demonstrating that this technology has begun to infiltrate many aspects of stem cell biology and medical applications. In this review, we discuss the perspectives of induced pluripotent stem cell technology for modeling human diseases. In particular, we focus on the cloning event occurring through the reprogramming process and its ability to let us analyze the development of complex disease-harboring somatic mosaicism. (Circ Res. 2014;114:505-510.)

Molecular, phenotypic, and sample-associated data to describe pluripotent stem cell lines and derivatives

“…While methods of somatic cell reprogramming are being continually improved 4,5 , prior to transplantation of iPSC or their differentiated derivatives, extensive characterization of each line must be performed to ensure normal growth characteristics, pluripotentiality, genetic stability and lack of immunoreactivity. For comparison purposes, human embryonic stem cells (hESC) have been considered to be the functional, genetic and epigenetic ‘gold standard’ in this field 6 .…”

Assessment of temporal functional changes and miRNA profiling of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes

“…The discoveries in the field of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have opened a novel window for stem cell therapy 1–4 . It has also demonstrated the capability of hiPSCs to differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes 1,4–8 . In recent years, stem cell therapy has shown a great potential to repair damaged heart tissue following myocardial infarction (MI) 5,9 .…”