2017 Volume 63 Issue 1 Pages 37-41
Pluripotent stem cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types in the mammalian body. Since human embryonic stem (ES) cells were established in 1998, they were expected to be an ideal cell source for regenerative medicine. To obtain genetically matched ES cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was considered to be the most promising technology; however, human SCNT was not performed until 2013. In 2006, Takahashi and Yamanaka reported that only four transcription factors are required to reprogram mouse fibroblasts into an ES cell-like state. These cells were termed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and human iPSCs were successfully generated in 2007. Although neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from human iPSCs improve motor function in animal models of spinal cord injury, rapid preparation of patient-specific NSCs is required for future regenerative medicine using autografts. iPSCs are also useful in disease modeling using patient-specific iPSCs established from patients with various diseases. We recently showed that T-cell-derived iPSCs can be employed for neural disease modeling using a robust differentiation protocol and that the regional identity of neural cells can be controlled by adding small molecules. Thus, iPSC and reprogramming technologies are valuable in both cellular transplantation and disease modeling.
