Induced pluripotent stem cell production and characterization: An overview of somatic cell reprogramming

Since the seminal description of somatic cell reprogramming by Takahashi and Yamanaka, there have been astounding advances in the protocols to produce induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, the derivation of iPSC has provided an important and useful model to study the critical molecular events necessary to re-establish and maintain self-renewal and pluripotency in cells. This article provides a broad review of the technologies and approaches used to generate iPSC by examining protein factors used for reprogramming, methods of genetic material delivery to cells, and the trend in the field to eliminate the use of genetic materials to reduce the risk of insertional mutagenesis. Additionally, this article reviews the molecular markers and physiological properties used to characterize and evaluate iPSC to verify their full reprogramming to an embryonic stem cell-like state. Lastly, the emerging trend to generate cells using transdifferentiation, the conversion of one somatic cell type directly to another somatic cell type, is discussed.