Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Applications

Pluripotency is a property of a cell that allows it to develop as any of the cell types of the body. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are unique cells in the organism and they have a pluripotent capacity. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) is a term that describes somatic cells having a pluripotent capacity induced by the viral transfection of special genes. This term was firstly used in 2006 by Takahashi and Yamanaka in their experimental work. c-Myc, Sox-2, Oct and Klf-4 genes are used for the transfection of somatic cells in order to obtain IPSCs. IPSC colonies are produced by using a successful transfection process. IPSCs have pluripotent stem cell specialities like growing potential in a culture system, having a DNA methylation pattern, an ability to form teratomas, to generate three germ line components and to generate chimeric organisms which pluripotent ESCs have. Concerning the ethical problems of working with the ESCs, IPSCs can be a unique source for pluripotency studies. IPSCs with their pluripotent capacity can be used for cell therapies in diseases which have irreversible cell defects. IPSCs can also be used to form autologus implants with no immune response. Therefore, IPSCs can be used for cell therapies, drug research or disease models. In this review, we give some information about obtaining IPSCs and today's research areas that have been opened by the use of these cells. (Marmara Medical Journal 2012;25:5-9)