Indukcija pluripotentnih matičnih stanica

Differentiated somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells by introduction of reprogramming factors Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc or Oct3/4, Sox2, Lin28 and Nanog directly into somatic cells. Scientists have developed several reprogramming methods. Reprogramming factors can be introduced into cells as transgenes with viral or plasmid vectors, in combination with small molecule compounds for enhanced efficiency of reprogramming, or directly as recombinant proteins. These methods enable establishment of pluripotent stem cells from different genetic background which would allow them to be used for therapeutic purposes. However, before that it would be necessary to determine molecular and functional differences between iPS and ES cells, understand mechanisms of reprogramming in detail and develope safer and more efficient protocols of induction.