Skip to content
Login Register

#stem cell reprogramming

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Stem Cell -ll

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by introducing which factors?

Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced by transient overexpression of embryonic transcription factors that epigenetically reset somatic genome toward embryonic state. Yamanaka factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc disrupt fibroblast transcriptional program, induce mesenchymal to epithelial transition, demethylate pluripotency enhancers, and reactivate endogenous Oct4, Nanog, Esrrb circuitry necessary for self-renewal. Klf4 and c-Myc facilitate proliferation and chromatin opening. Protocols employ retroviral, Sendai virus, mRNA, or episomal delivery with varying efficiency. Resulting iPSCs are molecularly and functionally similar to embryonic stem cells, offering isogenic models without embryo destruction.

Ref: Takahashi et al., Cell 2007; Gilbert, Chapter 6: Yamanaka factors Oct4 Sox2 Klf4 c-Myc iPSC generation.

View Details
Stem Cell -lll

Which of the following is a false statement about iPSCs?

Induced pluripotent stem cells are engineered by ectopic expression of pluripotency transcription factors in fibroblasts or other somatic cells, erasing somatic epigenetic memory and restoring embryonic-like state. Because they arise exclusively through artificial reprogramming, they are absent from normal embryogenesis and not present in blastocyst or fetus. Naturally occurring pluripotent cells include inner cell mass and epiblast-derived embryonic stem cells. iPSCs share hallmarks of indefinite self-renewal and capacity to form all three germ layers, providing patient-specific models for disease, drug screening, and regenerative approaches without embryo use.

Ref: Yamanaka, Cell Stem Cell 2007; Gilbert, Chapter 6: iPSCs artificial reprogramming not naturally present in embryos.

View Details