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Chemical Reversion of Conventional Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to a Naïve-like State with Improved Multilineage Differentiation Potency
Published on: June 10, 2018
Telomere dynamics in human cells reprogrammed to pluripotency
Steven T Suhr1, Eun Ah Chang, Ramon M Rodriguez
1Cellular Reprogramming Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America.
Plos One
|December 4, 2009
Summary
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) generally show telomere elongation, suggesting they do not age prematurely. This finding is crucial for using IPSCs in disease modeling and regenerative medicine therapies.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) hold promise for disease modeling and regenerative therapies.
- The biological age of IPSCs, especially from older individuals, requires investigation.
- Telomere elongation in cloned animals suggests potential cellular rejuvenation during reprogramming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the biological age of human induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) by examining telomere lengths.
- To determine if IPSCs derived from older individuals exhibit signs of premature aging.
- To understand the impact of reprogramming and subsequent differentiation on IPSC telomere length.
Main Methods:
- Telomere lengths were measured in human skin fibroblasts from young and old donors.
- Fibroblasts were reprogrammed into IPSCs and analyzed at passage five (P5).
- IPSCs were redifferentiated via teratoma formation and explant culture, with subsequent telomere length analysis.
Main Results:
- IPSCs at passage five exhibited significant telomere elongation (>40%) in 6/7 lines, comparable to human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).
- Redifferentiated cell lines from IPSC-teratoma explants showed variable telomere lengths; two lines shortened, while one retained elongation.
- These findings indicate heterogeneity in telomere length maintenance during IPSC reprogramming and differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Human somatic cells reprogrammed to pluripotency generally display elongated telomeres.
- This suggests that IPSCs may not age prematurely, regardless of donor age.
- The observed heterogeneity warrants further investigation into factors influencing telomere length during reprogramming and differentiation.
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