Current progress and application prospects of induced pluripotent stem cells

Induced pluripotent stem(iPS) cells can be directly generated from somatic cells by transduction of a few defined transcription factors. This technique avoids immunological rejection and ethical difficulties,which is a great revolution in life sciences. Like embryonic stem(ES) cells,iPS cells have the ability to self-renew through mitotic cell division and thus remain in its undifferentiated state and the ability to differentiate into not only all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm,endoderm,and mesoderm,but also many mature cells in vitro. Therefore,iPS cells are important for theoretic study and therapeutic application. Here,we discuss recent advances in generating induced pluripotent stem cells,different reprogramming methods,and clinical applications of iPS cells. Finally,current problems of iPS cells and its prospects in transgenic animals are also discussed. This article is a summary of current research advances in reprogramming cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.