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Rapid DNA replication origin licensing protects stem cell pluripotency.

Complete and robust human genome duplication requires loading minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase complexes at many DNA replication origins, an essential process termed origin licensing. Licensing is restricted to G1 phase of the cell cycle, but G1 length varies widely among cell types. Using quantitative single-cell analyses, we found that pluripotent stem cells with naturally short G1 phases load MCM much faster than their isogenic differentiated counterparts with long G1 phases. During the earliest stages of differentiation toward all lineages, MCM loading slows concurrently with G1 lengthening, revealing developmental control of MCM loading. In contrast, ectopic Cyclin E overproduction uncouples short G1 from fast MCM loading. Rapid licensing in stem cells is caused by accumulation of the MCM loading protein, Cdt1. Prematurely slowing MCM loading in pluripotent cells not only lengthens G1 but also accelerates differentiation. Thus, rapid origin licensing is an intrinsic characteristic of stem cells that contributes to pluripotency maintenance.

Cell Cycle

Generation of eight-cell embryo-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells.

Mammalian embryonic development is a highly orchestrated process initiated by the fusion of the oocyte with sperm to generate the zygote. In humans, the zygote remains transcriptionally quiescent until the major wave of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) occurs around the eight-cell (8C) stage (day 3 after fertilization). These cells and the derived morula cells are totipotent: they have the capacity to form a whole individual. Our understanding of human totipotency is very limited because of ethical concerns using embryos and the scarcity of material available for research. Recently, we established a controllable transgene-free methodology to generate totipotent eight-cell embryo-like cells (8CLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in vitro. These 8CLCs are produced using a novel medium, formulated by us, containing specific chemical compounds and cytokines. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for inducing, isolating and characterizing 8CLCs generated with this medium. The induction process can be done either in a stepwise manner (primed-naive-8CLC) that requires only 5 d starting from naive PSCs or directly from primed PSCs, which takes ~7 d. The resulting 8CLCs exhibit transcriptional and epigenetic features resembling those of human 8C embryo cells. On the basis of our experience, we expect that an individual with ~1 year of experience working with human PSC culture would be able to carry out this protocol. Our approach provides a valuable model for studying human early embryogenesis, particularly the molecular events surrounding ZGA.

Journal Article

A pluripotent stem cell atlas of multilineage differentiation.

Human pluripotent stem cells offer a scalable platform to study genetic and signalling mechanisms governing cell lineage decisions during differentiation. Genome-wide and single-cell transcriptomics technologies likewise offer high-throughput analysis of heterogeneous cell differentiation states. While in vivo development has been extensively characterised using these technologies, there remains a need for comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic profiling of stem cell differentiation from pluripotency. Understanding gene expression changes governing differentiation in vitro is key to developing high fidelity differentiation protocols and understanding fundamental mechanisms of development. We generated a single-cell RNA sequencing time course to study the role of developmental signalling pathways on multilineage diversification from pluripotency in vitro. The combined dataset of over 60,000 cells spans cell types from a time course of differentiation across all germ layers, ranging from gastrulation cell states to progenitor and committed cell types. These data provide a diverse benchmarking reference point to compare against in vivo development and advance understanding of signalling regulation of differentiation, providing insights into protocol development, drug screening, and regenerative medicine applications.

Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming: methodological evolution and challenges in clinical translation.

Cell reprogramming can transform somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells providing a platform for patient-specific disease modeling, drug screening and regenerative medicine research. Since the advent of OKSM-mediated reprogramming, the system of technical approaches has evolved continuously - from integrated viral vectors to non-integrated episomal systems and, more recently, chemical reprogramming and CRISPR approaches. The simultaneous advances in single-cell multi-omics, biomaterials engineering, and artificial intelligence have further refined the controllability and precision of the reprogramming process. Despite these innovations, problems persist that hinder clinical translation: incomplete epigenetic resetting, ongoing clonal heterogeneity, genomic instability in long-term culture, and the lack of standardized Good Manufacturing Practice protocols for large-scale manufacturing. This review summarizes the trajectory of iPSC reprogramming technologies, with special emphasis on the translational applicability of each modality. We evaluated viral and nonviral delivery systems, chemical reprogramming, strategies that aid gene editing, and emerging engineering platforms, including microfluidics, smart biomaterials, and artificial-intelligence-driven process optimization. We further identify the core "translational triltrilas", namely, the inherent tradeoffs between security, homogeneity, and scalability, and propose a comprehensive strategy to overcome these bottlenecks. By linking basic mechanistic understandings with industrial and regulatory considerations, this review aims to provide a route for transitioning iPSC technology from a laboratory tool to a clinically viable manufacturing platform.

clinical translation

Generation of Transgene-Free Naive Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Somatic Cells Using a Modified Temperature-Sensitive Sendai Virus System.

The Sendai virus (SeV) vector system offers an efficient, nonintegrating approach to reprogram somatic cells into either naive or primed human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Here, we describe a protocol to generate transgene-free naive iPSCs from human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using a modified, temperature-sensitive SeV system. The method leverages LMYC in place of cMYC and an optional H1FOO-DD factor to enhance efficiency and uniformity, and employs a controlled temperature shift to facilitate vector clearance.

Humans

The Fragile Site Landscape of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Hierarchy, Variability, Tissue Specificity, and Links to Culture-Acquired Rearrangements.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are prone to genomic instability during prolonged culture, with recurrent chromosomal aberrations conferring selective advantages. Replication stress is a major driver of this instability, yet the repertoire of replication stress-sensitive loci in iPSCs remains largely unexplored. Here, we mapped aphidicolin-sensitive fragile sites (asFS) in three independent iPSC lines using classical cytogenetic break analysis combined with Monte Carlo simulation and MiDAS mapping directly on banded metaphase chromosomes. We identified 28 asFS, which segregated into a highly active Major cluster (8 sites, accounting for 59% of breaks among asFS) and a less active Minor cluster (20 sites). Five universal asFS (9p21, 6q25-26, 20p11-12, 10q22, Xq25) were present in all three lines, representing a fragility signature associated with the pluripotent state, with Xq25 shifting into the Major cluster after correction for X chromosome dosage. Minor asFS showed preferential co-localization with physical breakpoints or minimal overlapping regions of recurrent culture-acquired aberrations, including 20q11.21 (BCL2L1), 1q32 (MDM4), 8q24 (MYC), 17q21 (WNT3-WNT9B), and 18q21 (DCC/FRA18B). MiDAS mapping validated most asFS and revealed additional replication stress-sensitive loci in pericentromeric and subtelomeric regions that are difficult to score by conventional G-banding. Comparison with fragile site maps from other cell types revealed that the iPSC asFS repertoire is distinct in rank order and relative activity, characteristic of the pluripotent state. Collectively, our findings indicate that the asFS repertoire in iPSCs is hierarchically organized into a stable universal core and a variable peripheral component, and suggest that Minor asFS may contribute to, or be associated with, the genesis of culture-acquired rearrangements. This work provides a framework for understanding how replication stress and clonal selection shape the mutational landscape of pluripotent stem cells.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Non-Model Species: Applications and Challenges.

Induced pluripotent stem cells have revolutionized biomedical research-yet the vast majority of life on Earth remains beyond their reach. Non-model species lack the annotated genomes, validated reagents, and species-specific culture infrastructure that make iPSC technology routine in humans and mice, and this infrastructure deficit, compounded by genuine biological differences in pluripotency network architecture across taxa, is what has kept the field narrow. The deep conservation of the core pluripotency network across vertebrates suggests that reprogramming may, in principle, be achievable across a far broader range of species than currently demonstrated-though the extent to which this holds across more divergent taxa remains to be established. This review consolidates current progress and future potential of iPSC technology across five domains: technical reprogramming challenges and advances; conservation applications including genetic rescue, in vitro gametogenesis, and de-extinction; medical applications within a one medicine framework; agricultural applications spanning disease resistance, climate resilience, and cultured meat; and species-specific iPSC-derived systems in ecotoxicology. Throughout, we distinguish what has been demonstrated from what remains aspirational and identify the priorities that will determine whether the iPSC revolution can be extended-rigorously and at scale-beyond model organism research.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Refined and benchmarked homemade media for cost-effective, weekend-free human pluripotent stem cell culture.

BACKGROUND: Cost-effective, practical, and reproducible culture of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is required for basic and translational research. Basal 8 (B8) has emerged as a cost-effective solution for weekend-free and chemically-defined hPSC culture. However, the requirement to home-produce some recombinant growth factors for B8 can hinder access and reproducibility. Moreover, we found the published B8 formulation suboptimal in widely-used normoxic hPSC culture. Lastly, the performance of B8 in functional applications such as genome editing or organoid differentiation required systematic evaluation. METHODS: We formulated B8 with commercially available, growth factors and adjusted its composition to support normoxic culture of WTC11 human induced pluripotent stem cell line. We compared this formulation (B8+) with commercial Essential 8 (cE8) and a home-made, weekend-free E8 formulation (hE8). We measured pluripotency marker expression and cell cycle by flow cytometry, and investigated the transcriptional profiles by bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. We further assessed genomic stability, genome editing efficiency, single-cell cloning, and differentiation in both monolayer and organoids. Finally, we validated key findings using male (H1) and female (H9) human embryonic stem cells. RESULTS: hE8 performed comparably to cE8 across most functional assays and cell lines. In contrast, cells in B8+ displayed higher NANOG expression and improved genome editing efficiency. At the same time, B8+ led to gene expression changes indicative of marked lineage priming, reflected in altered morphology and differential response to some differentiation protocols. Both weekend-free media resulted in a modest transcriptional shift towards a less metabolically active state, consistent with intermittent media starvation. CONCLUSIONS: Homemade weekend-free media can provide a cost-effective alternative to commercial formulations. hE8, integrating some features of B8 while resembling cE8, emerges as a robust and practical option with limited compromises. B8+, though advantageous in some contexts, warrants caution due to lineage priming effects that may impact differentiation outcomes.

hiPSC; pluripotency; culture media; thermostable F

CRISPR/Cpf1-mediated knockout of FLG in human induced pluripotent stem cells generates a model for studying epidermal barrier dysfunction.

Loss of filaggrin (FLG) function impairs skin barrier formation and contributes to common inflammatory skin diseases. In this study, we established a FLG knockout human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line based on KOLF2.1 J using CRISPR/Cas12a (Cpf1)-mediated genome editing. A guide RNA targeting exon 2 introduced a homozygous mutation, which was confirmed by sequencing. The edited cells maintained typical pluripotent stem cell morphology, expressed key undifferentiated markers, and retained the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers. Karyotype and copy number variation (CNV) analyses confirmed genomic stability and parental origin; the cells were free of mycoplasma. This cell line enables studies of FLG-associated skin biology and pathology.

Humans

Generation of Aneuploid Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Primary Amniotic Fluid Cells via Episomal Plasmid Electroporation.

The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) carrying defined chromosomal aneuploidies provides a powerful platform for modeling genetic disorders. However, establishing a reliable and reproducible reprogramming pipeline for aneuploid AFCs remains technically challenging due to the intrinsic genomic instability and variable proliferative capacity of these cells. Here, we present a comprehensive, non-integrating method for generating aneuploid human iPSCs from primary AFCs using episomal plasmid electroporation. This protocol details the complete workflow, encompassing cell thawing and expansion with a gradual media adaptation strategy, optimized plasmid delivery via electroporation system, sequential post-electroporation culture with mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET)-directed media changes, and mechanical colony picking based on defined morphological criteria. We further describe validation procedures, including immunofluorescence staining for core pluripotency markers, G-banding karyotype analysis to confirm aneuploid karyotype maintenance, and PCR-based episomal vector clearance verification. This feeder-free, integration-free protocol yields aneuploid iPSC lines suitable for disease modeling, drug screening, and studies of chromosome biology.

Humans

Properties and development of erythropoietic stem cells in the chick embryo.

1. When injected into irradiated chickens, haemopoietic stem cells give rise to well-defined erythrocytic colonies in the host marrow. Such stem cells (CFU-M = Colony Forming Unit in Marrow) have been found in different tissue of the chicke embryo (yolk sac, blood, marrow). Analysis of the properties of CFU-M reveals that they represent two classes of stem cells: pluripotent stem cells mainly in adult marrow and erythrocytic-committed stem cells present in yolk sac. 2. Yolk sac contains the main pool of CFU-M during the major part of embryonic life. In the blood of 6-day-old embryo, there are three or four times more CFU-Ms than in the yolk sac; they are no longer detected in the blood after the 16th day of incubation. During development of the marrow, stem cells are actively differentiating and their total number remains the same from 16 days to hatching.

Age Factors

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell line NTUHi003-A from a patient with premature ovarian insufficiency.

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterized by impaired ovarian function before 40 years of age and is associated with heterogeneous etiologies. Herein, we established a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line, NTUHi003-A, from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a patient with POI. The generated hiPSC line exhibited a normal 46, XX karyotype and demonstrated confirmed pluripotency. This cell line provides a valuable cellular platform for disease modeling and mechanistic studies of POI.

Humans

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line, LGMi002-A, from a Bardet-Biedl Syndrome patient with a BBS5 homozygous pathogenic variant.

The human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, iPSC-BBS5stbg1, derived from a patient with a Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) phenotype and carrying a BBS5 homozygous pathogenic variant: c.123delA, p.Gly42Glufs*11 is described. The reprogramming of the patient's dermal fibroblasts was achieved using the non-integrative Sendai virus system delivering the OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC (OSKM) transcription factors. The established iPSC line iPSC-BBS5stbg1 displays typical iPSC morphology, maintains genomic stability, and demonstrates the ability to differentiate into cell types representative of the three embryonic germ layers. This iPSC line constitutes robust and relevant cellular model for studying BBS-associated disease mechanisms and ciliary dysfunction.

Humans

Establishment of human induced pluripotent stem cell lines and isogenic gene-corrected controls from three patients with prolidase deficiency.

Prolidase deficiency is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by pathogenic variants in the PEPD gene. To date, close to 200 patients have been reported worldwide with a poorly understood pathomechanism. The PEPD gene encodes an enzyme that is involved in the final steps of collagen degradation. Urine amino acid analysis or specific dipeptide analysis can establish the biochemical diagnosis. In this study, we reprogrammed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from three prolidase deficient patients into induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and additionally generated isogenic controls using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. The pathogenic PEPD variants identified in our patients were NP_000276.2:p.? (NIHTVBi032-A), NP_000276.2:p.(Ile415Asn)/NP_000276.2:p.(Trp326Ter) (NIHTVBi033-A), and NP_000276.2:p.(Arg265Ter) (NIHTVBi034-A). These iPSC lines are valuable models to help investigate the pathomechanism of prolidase deficiency.

Humans

Humoral regulation of pluripotent stem cell differentiation.

Humoral regulators of CFU-S differentiation have been demonstrated in bone marrow of Ara-C treated animals. These factors are effective in vivo and are also capable of inducing erythropoietic differentiation of normal CFU-S in vitro. These results seem to indicate that the microenvironment acts at the committed stem cell level while the factors described in this paper act on the pluripotent stem cells.

Animals

Establishment and characterization of three human pluripotent stem cell lines from patients with spinocerebellar ataxia 27B (SCA27B).

Spinocerebellar ataxia 27B (SCA27B) is a common autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia caused by an intronic GAA•TTC repeat expansion in the FGF14 gene. Here, we report the generation and validation of three human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines derived from unrelated individuals with SCA27B, including two lines carrying a monoallelic pathogenic GAA•TTC repeat expansion in FGF14 and one line with biallelic expansions. These iPSC lines constitute a valuable resource, particularly given the predominantly neuronal expression of FGF14, and enable the investigation of disease mechanisms in relevant cell types following neuronal differentiation.

Humans

Generation of two induced pluripotent stem cell lines from dilated cardiomyopathy patients with TTN mutations.

Titin (TTN) encodes the largest protein in the human body and is essential for sarcomere assembly and muscle mechanosensation. Truncating TTN mutations are a leading cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Here, we generated two induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from female DCM patients, each carrying a heterozygous nonsense point mutation that produces a truncated titin protein. Both lines were reprogrammed from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and characterized for expression of undifferentiated human iPSC state markers, tri-lineage differentiation capacity, and genomic integrity by copy-number analysis. These lines provide a patient-derived platform for investigating the mechanobiological basis of titin-truncation DCM in vitro.

Humans