Stem cells: Epigenetic memory in induced pluripotent cells (AOP)
DOI: 10.1038/nature09342
DOI: 10.1038/nbt1667
The papers show iPS cells hold on to an ‘epigenetic memory’ but that embryonic stem (ES) cells generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) are more efficiently reset to a naive state more akin to ES cells.
George Daley and colleagues compare iPS and SCNT cells in Nature, looking at both potential to differentiate — or become other cell types — and the genetic information they retain after being made pluripotent. They compare iPS cells derived via viral reprogramming from differing cell types and report that they do retain signatures characteristic of their previous cell type, whereas SCNT-derived cells were more similar to classical ES cells.
In Nature Biotechnology Konrad Hochedlinger and team look at just iPS cells. Their results suggest also that they retain this epigenetic memory and that this affects gene expression and the capacity to differentiate. The work could affect future attempts to use iPSCs for disease modelling and for therapeutic applications, since this epigenetic memory might be useful in pushing cells towards a particular cell type.
Author contact
George Daley (HHMI and Children's Hospital Boston, MA, USA)
Tel: +1 617 919 2013
E-mail: [email protected]
Konrad Hochedlinger (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA)
Tel: +1 617 643 2075
E-mail: [email protected]
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