Question

Epigenetics and Stem Cells: Is the conversion of differentiated cells back to pluripotency efficient or inefficient and why?

Answer 1

Generation of pleuripotent stem cells from differented cells offers to use patient-specific somatic cells for tissue as well as organ regeneration. This gives hope to patients who have incurable diseases caused by loss of certain type of cells like type-1 diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

Pleuripotent stem cells can be cultured indefinitely without losing their pluripotent potential from differented cells, so in that sense it is efficient. But it is reported in some studies that there is also a negative aspect including the formation of teratomas when transplanted into a immune deficient mice. So we must make sure that the pleuripotent stem cell differentiation is uniform and also the cells which are maturating are not contaminated with any leftover pleuripotent stem cell progeny.

Another issue noticed in studies includes the reactivation of the transgenes that may lead to tumor.

Thank you.