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Updated: May 29, 2026
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Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model
Published on: September 6, 2014
Generation and characterization of reprogrammed sheep induced pluripotent stem cells
Jun Liu1, Deepashree Balehosur, Belinda Murray
1Centre for Reproduction and Development, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
Theriogenology
|October 1, 2011
Summary
Researchers successfully derived sheep induced pluripotent stem cells (siPSCs) from fibroblasts, offering a promising alternative to elusive sheep embryonic stem cells (ESCs) for agricultural and biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Stem cell science
- Genetics
Background:
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from domestic species hold significant potential in agriculture and biomedicine.
- Deriving ESCs from sheep has proven challenging despite extensive research efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from sheep fibroblasts as an alternative to ESCs.
- To investigate the pluripotency and potential applications of these sheep iPSCs (siPSCs).
Main Methods:
- Sheep fibroblasts were reprogrammed using retroviral delivery of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC transcription factors.
- Reprogramming efficiency was assessed, and derived siPSCs were characterized for pluripotency markers, gene expression, karyotyping, and transgene silencing.
- In vitro differentiation into embryoid bodies and in vivo teratoma formation were evaluated.
- Contribution to sheep embryos following injection was assessed.
Main Results:
- Sheep iPSCs (siPSCs) were derived from fibroblasts at a rate of 0.002%.
- siPSCs expressed endogenous pluripotency genes (OCT4, SOX2), silenced exogenous transgenes, maintained normal karyotypes, and differentiated into derivatives of all three germ layers.
- siPSCs contributed to blastocysts when injected into sheep embryos, indicating true pluripotential.
Conclusions:
- Reprogrammed siPSCs represent a viable pluripotent alternative to the elusive sheep ESCs.
- These siPSCs hold considerable potential for applications in agricultural and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
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