These days some normal cells like fibroblast can also be transformed to desired cells type like neuron or cardiac myocytes or blood cell progenitors or other cells instead of inducing pluripotent stem cells then inducing them to differentiate to these cells. The question arises, why do we need to use stem cells rather than use direct transformation techniques. The efficiency and other things can be improved later. Please add your comments! Thanks!
Direct transformation methods are not currently available for every cell type. Only certain cell types can be obtained directly from fibroblasts. These methods are much more recent than the stem cell-based techniques. If available, direct differentiation approach is the way to go because, unlike iPSCs, it does not involve the use of oncogenic reprogramming factors such as Myc. iPSCs are the best option if direct transformation is not available to generate your specific cell type.
Hi,
for sure direct trasformation is a safer methods to obtain few cell types from fibroblsat, likewise myogenic cells by MyoD expression, nevertheless for clinical point of view ofetn the number and availability of the cells are the hurdles, this is why iPS could offer a promising alternative.
Hi Cesare,
The clinical y significant number of transformed cells can also be achieved by cultivating them on appropriate biocompatible substrate the same way as iPSCs or not? The efficiency of differentiation of iPSCs may also present one factor? Plz elaborate!
Hi Amar,
yuo're right, but still for translational application you need a sufficient number of cells differentiating into the target tissue and overal having a selective advantage!!!
I agree with you all. Tho Direct Differentiation is an attractive method for generating the target cells of interest, currently this technique is limited only to a few cell types. The challenge tho is getting more number of target cells(efficiency) and avoiding Dedifferentiation and Transdifferentiation of the target cells. Also, most importantly, the method of differentiation (non-viral to be precise).
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