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Generation and application of human iPS cells

  • Review/Developmental Biology
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are capable of unlimited proliferation and maintenance of pluripotency in vitro; these properties may lead to potential applications in regenerative medicine. However, immune rejection hampers the allogenic application of human ES cells. Over-expression of several specific transcription factors has been used to reprogram human adult cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are similar to hESCs in many aspects. The iPS technique makes it possible to produce patient-specific pluripotent stem cells for transplantation therapy without immune rejection. However, some challenges remain, including viral vector integration into the genome, the existence of exogenous oncogenic factors, and low induction efficiency. Here, we review recent advances in human iPS methodology, as well as remaining challenges and its potential applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, the Cell Bank/Stem Cell bank, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China

    Chun Cui, LingJun Rao & Lei Xiao

  2. Stem Cell Program, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    LinZhao Cheng

Authors
  1. Chun Cui
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  2. LingJun Rao
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  3. LinZhao Cheng
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  4. Lei Xiao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lei Xiao.

Additional information

Supported by the National Key Scientific Program (Grant Nos. 2007CB947960, 2007CB948003)

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Cui, C., Rao, L., Cheng, L. et al. Generation and application of human iPS cells. Chin. Sci. Bull. 54, 9–13 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0579-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-008-0579-8

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