Chapters authored
Membrane-to-Nucleus Signaling in Human Blood Progenitor Cells Reveals an Efficient GM-Free Reprogramming to Pluripotency
The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by forced expression of defined transcription factors has revolutionized regenerative medicine. These cells have similar features to embryonic stem cells (ESCs) regarding self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. In spite of many improvements, in using nonviral delivery reprogramming methods, there are still challenges to overcome regarding safety before patient-made iPSCs can be used in regular clinical practice. We have recently reported about a gene manipulation-free method of generating human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), based on activation of the novel human GPI-linked glycoprotein ACA. The process of dedifferentiation of blood progenitor cells that leads to the generation of blood-derived pluripotent stem cells (BD-PSCs) is initiated upon cross-linking of this protein via activation of PLCγ/PI3K/Akt pathway. These cells are mortal, express pluripotent markers, and redifferentiate in vitro into cells of all three germ layers. The ultrastructural analysis of BD-PSCs, by means of electron microscopy, revealed them similar to human ESCs with large dense nucleolus and scarce cytoplasm. BD-PSCs are autologous stem cells and while nonteratogenic offer a new alternative that overcomes immunological, ethical, and safety concerns and opens up a new avenue in treating contemporarily intractable diseases and generally in human therapeutics.
Part of the book: Possibilities and Limitations in Current Translational Stem Cell Research