In a recently published study, murine fibroblasts were reprogrammed directly to pluripotency by ectopic expression of the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc.

Given these data In-Hyun Park from Harvard University used the same factors to derive induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from fetal, neonatal and adult human primary cells. Among them were also dermal fibroblasts, taken from a human skin biopsy. Human iPS cells are similar to embryonic stem cells regarding morphologic features and gene expression and they even share the ability to form teratomas (germ cell tumours) in immune-deficient mice. Apparently, there exist factors capable of reprogramming human cells to pluripotency.

Pluripotency is a famous feature of the early embryo's cells. They can develop into all tissues of the organism and are therefore a promising tool of research. Embryonic stem cells are cell lines taken from an embryo, that keep their pluripotency.

Related antibodies on antibodies-online.com:

Fibroblasts

Oct4

Sox2

Klf4

Myc

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