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Updated: May 19, 2026
12:12
In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors
Published on: December 17, 2013
Reprogramming of somatic cells
1Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|August 25, 2012
Summary
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) offer a promising source for regenerative medicine by reprogramming adult cells. Research focuses on safe, nonviral methods for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Adult somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells, creating patient-specific cell lines without embryonic stem cells.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) were first generated in 2006 by reprogramming somatic cells with specific transcription factors.
- iPS cell technology is a key advancement for personalized medicine and regenerative therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell) technology.
- To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of existing iPS cell generation methods.
- To explore future directions for translating iPS cell technology into clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on iPS cell generation and applications.
- Comparison of viral integrating and nonviral nonintegrating methods for iPS cell production.
- Analysis of safety concerns and clinical translation challenges.
Main Results:
- Both viral and nonviral methods are currently employed for iPS cell generation.
- Viral-based methods carry higher safety risks, prompting a shift towards nonviral approaches.
- Nonviral methods are preferred for developing autologous stem cells for clinical therapy.
Conclusions:
- iPS cell technology holds significant potential for regenerative medicine and patient-specific therapies.
- Safety and efficiency of nonviral iPS cell generation are critical for clinical translation.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and fully realize the therapeutic benefits of iPS cells.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Somatic 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...
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
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.
01:14Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
01:28Forced Transdifferentiation
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Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
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).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...