Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
13:58
Derivation of Adult Human Fibroblasts and their Direct Conversion into Expandable Neural Progenitor Cells
Published on: July 29, 2015
16.2K
Engineering Cell Fate for Tissue Regeneration by In Vivo Transdifferentiation
I de Lázaro1,2, K Kostarelos3,4
1Nanomedicine Lab, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, AV Hill Building, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK. irene.delazarodelrey@manchester.ac.uk.
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports
|September 26, 2015
Summary
In vivo transdifferentiation converts cell types within living mammals, offering regenerative medicine potential. Further research is needed to address efficacy and safety before clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Mammalian Biology
Background:
- Cell fate changes occur in adult mammals, often associated with disease.
- Manipulating cell fate has been studied for decades.
- In vivo transdifferentiation, converting cell types within a living organism, is a recent advancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key in vivo transdifferentiation studies in adult mammalian models.
- To critically assess the potential of in vivo transdifferentiation for regenerative medicine.
- To highlight efficacy and safety concerns for clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Review of published literature on in vivo transdifferentiation studies.
- Analysis of adult mammalian animal models.
- Critical assessment of therapeutic efficacy and safety data.
Main Results:
- In vivo transdifferentiation has been achieved in a limited number of adult mammalian tissues.
- The strategy holds significant therapeutic promise for tissue regeneration and repair.
- Efficacy and safety remain critical areas requiring further investigation.
Conclusions:
- In vivo transdifferentiation is a promising strategy for regenerative medicine.
- Addressing efficacy and safety concerns is crucial for clinical implementation.
- Further research in adult mammalian models is essential to realize its full potential.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Forced Transdifferentiation
2.5K
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.
Artificial...
Artificial...
2.5K
00:57Cellular Differentiation
6.3K
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.
A zygote is a...
A zygote is a...
6.3K
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
3.3K
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
3.3K
01:17Stem Cell Culture
6.6K
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
6.6K
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
4.9K
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...
4.9K
01:51Determination
21.4K
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In...
21.4K