Research progress cellular reprogramming technology and induced pluripotent stem cells for retinal diseases treatment

Current advances in cellular reprogramming technology has demonstrated that the identity of a cell can be converted by the use of master transcription factors to reprogram the transcriptome.Notably, this allows us to convert somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), providing a feasible method to generate patient-specific pluripotent stem cells.This technology was firstly discovered by Shinya Yamanaka's group in 2006.The initial iPSCs were formed by the induction of dedifferentiation in mouse fibroblasts using transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc.This approach has tremendous medical potentials to revolutionize the way we study and develop treatment for ocular diseases.Here we reviewed the potential of using patient-specific iPSCs for 3D disease modeling and various types of retinal disease modeling, cell replacement therapy and clinical trials, high-throughput screening test and drug toxicity testing.We also discussed the recent development of direct reprogramming and the future direction for utilising iPSCs and cellular reprogramming technology for eye research. Key words: Induced pluripotent stem cells; Cellular reprogramming; Retina; Disease modeling; Cell therapy; Drug screening