Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
2.8
Journals
Genes
Special Issues
Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells
share announcement

Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2010) | Viewed by 84017

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Paolo Cinelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Clinical Research, Clinic for Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Sternwartstrasse 14, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Interests: transcriptomics; microarrays; gene expression analysis; genotyping; molecular genetics; mouse genetics; transgenic technologies; embryonic stem cells; pluripotency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cellular pluripotency is one of the most fascinating and promising research fields in biomedical research. The recent discovery that ordinary cells following the introduction of a small number of genes can acquire stem cell behaviors opens a new door for stem cell research and its application to therapeutic discovery. The exhaustive understanding of the molecular pathways controlling pluripotency and cellular reprogramming is essential for the development of effective and safe approaches to reprogram somatic cells towards a pluripotent state.
This Special Issue of the Journal Genes aims at presenting recent research and developments on this very exciting topic. Reviews and original papers presenting data on embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are welcome for this Special Issue. Special interest will be given to reports on genes and/or pathways involved in the establishment and maintenance of natural and acquired pluripotency, in controlling the global and local chromatin organization in pluripotent cells, and in triggering reprogramming in somatic and adult stem cells.

Dr. Paolo Cinelli
Guest Editor

Keywords

  • embryonic stem cells
  • induced pluripotent stem cells
  • self renewal
  • cell differentiation
  • reprogramming
  • gene expression regulation
  • microRNAs
  • epigenetics
  • DNA methylation

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Review

29 KiB  
Editorial
The Secret Lives of Pluripotent Cells: There and Back Again
by Paolo Cinelli
Genes 2010, 1(1), 4-8; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1010004 - 9 Mar 2010
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6975
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) hold great promise for the therapeutic treatment of human diseases, but their functional similarity, their stability and especially the mechanism underlying their derivation are not yet clearly explained. [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)

Review

Jump to: Editorial

506 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) — Pathway in Derivation and Maintenance of Murine Pluripotent Stem Cells
by Urs Graf, Elisa A. Casanova and Paolo Cinelli
Genes 2011, 2(1), 280-297; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes2010280 - 9 Mar 2011
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 18452
Abstract
Developmental biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology are more and more interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling pluripotency and self-renewal in stem cells. Pluripotency is maintained by a synergistic interplay between extrinsic stimuli and intrinsic circuitries, which allow sustainment of the undifferentiated [...] Read more.
Developmental biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology are more and more interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling pluripotency and self-renewal in stem cells. Pluripotency is maintained by a synergistic interplay between extrinsic stimuli and intrinsic circuitries, which allow sustainment of the undifferentiated and self-renewing state. Nevertheless, even though a lot of efforts have been made in the past years, the precise mechanisms regulating these processes remain unclear. One of the key extrinsic factors is leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) that is largely used for the cultivation and derivation of mouse embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. LIF acts through the LIFR/gp130 receptor and activates STAT3, an important regulator of mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal. STAT3 is known to inhibit differentiation into both mesoderm and endoderm lineages by preventing the activation of lineage-specific differentiation programs. However, LIF activates also parallel circuitries like the PI3K-pathway and the MEK/ERK-pathway, but its mechanisms of action remain to be better elucidated. This review article aims at summarizing the actual knowledge on the importance of LIF in the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal in embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)
►▼ Show Figures

671 KiB  
Review
The Function of E-Cadherin in Stem Cell Pluripotency and Self-Renewal
by Francesca Soncin and Christopher M. Ward
Genes 2011, 2(1), 229-259; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes2010229 - 25 Feb 2011
Cited by 66 | Viewed by 18622
Abstract
Embryonic stem (ES) and induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be grown indefinitely under appropriate conditions whilst retaining the ability to differentiate to cells representative of the three primary germ layers. Such cells have the potential to revolutionize medicine by offering treatment options for [...] Read more.
Embryonic stem (ES) and induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be grown indefinitely under appropriate conditions whilst retaining the ability to differentiate to cells representative of the three primary germ layers. Such cells have the potential to revolutionize medicine by offering treatment options for a wide range of diseases and disorders as well as providing a model system for elucidating mechanisms involved in development and disease. In recent years, evidence for the function of E-cadherin in regulating pluripotent and self-renewal signaling pathways in ES and iPS cells has emerged. In this review, we discuss the function of E-cadherin and its interacting partners in the context of development and disease. We then describe relevant literature highlighting the function of E-cadherin in establishing and maintaining pluripotent and self-renewal properties of ES and iPS cells. In addition, we present experimental data demonstrating that exposure of human ES cells to the E-cadherin neutralizing antibody SHE78.7 allows culture of these cells in the absence of FGF2-supplemented medium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)
►▼ Show Figures

510 KiB  
Review
Prospects and Limitations of Using Endogenous Neural Stem Cells for Brain Regeneration
by Naoko Kaneko, Eisuke Kako and Kazunobu Sawamoto
Genes 2011, 2(1), 107-130; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes2010107 - 14 Jan 2011
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 16360
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are capable of producing a variety of neural cell types, and are indispensable for the development of the mammalian brain. NSCs can be induced in vitro from pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced-pluripotent stem cells. Although [...] Read more.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are capable of producing a variety of neural cell types, and are indispensable for the development of the mammalian brain. NSCs can be induced in vitro from pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced-pluripotent stem cells. Although the transplantation of these exogenous NSCs is a potential strategy for improving presently untreatable neurological conditions, there are several obstacles to its implementation, including tumorigenic, immunological, and ethical problems. Recent studies have revealed that NSCs also reside in the adult brain. The endogenous NSCs are activated in response to disease or trauma, and produce new neurons and glia, suggesting they have the potential to regenerate damaged brain tissue while avoiding the above-mentioned problems. Here we present an overview of the possibility and limitations of using endogenous NSCs in regenerative medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

483 KiB  
Review
Looking into the Black Box: Insights into the Mechanisms of Somatic Cell Reprogramming
by Laurent David, Payman Samavarchi-Tehrani, Azadeh Golipour and Jeffrey L. Wrana
Genes 2011, 2(1), 81-106; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes2010081 - 13 Jan 2011
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 8940
Abstract
The dramatic discovery that somatic cells could be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), by the expression of just four factors, has opened new opportunities for regenerative medicine and novel ways of modeling human diseases. Extensive research over the short time since [...] Read more.
The dramatic discovery that somatic cells could be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), by the expression of just four factors, has opened new opportunities for regenerative medicine and novel ways of modeling human diseases. Extensive research over the short time since the first iPSCs were generated has yielded the ability to reprogram various cell types using a diverse range of methods. However the duration, efficiency, and safety of induced reprogramming have remained a persistent limitation to achieving a robust experimental and therapeutic system. The field has worked to resolve these issues through technological advances using non-integrative approaches, factor replacement or complementation with microRNA, shRNA and drugs. Despite these advances, the molecular mechanisms underlying the reprogramming process remain poorly understood. Recently, through the use of inducible secondary reprogramming systems, researchers have now accessed more rigorous mechanistic experiments to decipher this complex process. In this review we will discuss some of the major recent findings in reprogramming, pertaining to proliferation and cellular senescence, epigenetic and chromatin remodeling, and other complex cellular processes such as morphological changes and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. We will focus on the implications of this work in the construction of a mechanistic understanding of reprogramming and discuss unexplored areas in this rapidly expanding field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)
►▼ Show Figures

875 KiB  
Review
Programming Pluripotent Precursor Cells Derived from Xenopus Embryos to Generate Specific Tissues and Organs
by Annette Borchers and Tomas Pieler
Genes 2010, 1(3), 413-426; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes1030413 - 18 Nov 2010
Cited by 240 | Viewed by 13406
Abstract
Xenopus embryos provide a rich source of pluripotent cells that can be differentiated into functional organs. Since the molecular principles of vertebrate organogenesis appear to be conserved between Xenopus and mammals, this system can provide useful guidelines for the directional manipulation of human [...] Read more.
Xenopus embryos provide a rich source of pluripotent cells that can be differentiated into functional organs. Since the molecular principles of vertebrate organogenesis appear to be conserved between Xenopus and mammals, this system can provide useful guidelines for the directional manipulation of human embryonic stem cells. Pluripotent Xenopus cells can be easily isolated from the animal pole of blastula stage Xenopus embryos. These so called “animal cap” cells represent prospective ectodermal cells, but give rise to endodermal, mesodermal and neuro-ectodermal derivatives if treated with the appropriate factors. These factors include evolutionary conserved modulators of the key developmental signal transduction pathways that can be supplied either by mRNA microinjection or direct application of recombinant proteins. This relatively simple system has added to our understanding of pancreas, liver, kidney, eye and heart development. In particular, recent studies have used animal cap cells to generate ectopic eyes and hearts, setting the stage for future work aimed at programming pluripotent cells for regenerative medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Induced Pluripotency in Stem Cells)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop