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Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this...

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

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Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

Forced Transdifferentiation

Forced Transdifferentiation

Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
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Cellular Differentiation

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

Published on: September 6, 2014

Totipotency, cell differentiation and reprogramming in humans.

Christoph Hansis¹

¹Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1240 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. ChrHansis@aol.com

Reproductive Biomedicine Online

|September 30, 2006

Summary

Early human embryo studies reveal blastomeres exhibit distinct potencies by the 4-cell stage, acting as lineage-specific stem cells. Reprogramming differentiated cells with Xenopus egg extract identified BRG1 as crucial for nuclear reprogramming.

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Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model

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Published on: September 6, 2014

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Published on: November 27, 2017

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Understanding human totipotency and cell differentiation is key to advancing reprogramming knowledge.
Early human embryos offer insights into totipotency and initial differentiation stages.
Differentiated human cells serve as models for studying nuclear reprogramming.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human totipotency and cell differentiation.
To explore the potential of early human embryos and differentiated cells in reprogramming research.
To identify factors involved in nuclear reprogramming of human cells.

Main Methods:

Analysis of marker genes (e.g., Oct-4, -HCG) in early human embryos.
Reprogramming of human 293T kidney cells and primary leukocytes using Xenopus laevis egg extract.
Molecular screens to identify key factors in the reprogramming process.

Main Results:

Blastomeres at the 4-cell stage show differing potencies, potentially acting as lineage-specific stem cells.
Xenopus laevis egg extract successfully reprogrammed differentiated human cells towards an undifferentiated state.
The chromatin-remodeling ATPase BRG1 was identified as essential for this reprogramming.

Conclusions:

Early human embryos provide a model for studying the initial steps of cell differentiation and potency.
Nuclear reprogramming of differentiated human cells is achievable and involves specific molecular factors like BRG1.
These findings could lead to improved reprogramming protocols for generating human cells for clinical applications.