Long-term Comparisons of iPSC and hESC Conducted to Assess Therapeutic Potential

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, scientists have performed a detailed long-term evaluation and comparison of two different types of pluripotent stem cells: human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotency stem cells (iPSC).  Both cell types are believed to share equal characteristics, abilities and potential to differentiate into nearly 220 different cell types. However, hESC are isolated from early human embryos and iPSC are derived from reprogrammed adult somatic cells which makes them less controversial.

This newly published research in Stem Cells compared 25 hESC and 8 iPSC lines which had similar abilities to differentiate into blood precursor cells, blood vessels, and eye cells. Comparing the characteristics of cells derived from iPSC and hESC, researchers found that blood and vascular derivatives from iPSC display abnormal molecular and/or cellular processes compared to their corresponding hESC counterparts. The iPSC showed notably decreased growth and differentiation efficiency, sometimes 1000 fold less than hESC.  

Additionally, iPSC showed higher tendency to senescence and signs of programmed cell death. Similarly, retinal pigment epithelium cells derived from iPSC began senescing in the first passage, indicating the observed phenomenon is not limited to blood and vascular lineages. A range of therapeutic cell types obtained from iPSC showed abnormal expansion and early aging.

"Before clinical application, it will be necessary to determine the cause and extent of such abnormalities, and whether they also occur in stem cells generated using different reprogramming methods," said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer at ACT, and senior author of the study. "Although there is excitement that iPSC can serve as an embryo-free source of stem cells, it would premature to abandon research using hESC until we fully understand what's causing these problems."    

Based on these results, it is clear that further methodological, mechanical and functional studies are necessary to improve reprogramming technique and to evaluate the similarity and differences between hESC and iPSC before advancing into a clinical setting.

This paper is published in STEM CELLS. Media wishing to request a copy should contact Ben Norman on [email protected] or +44 (0) 1243 770 375

Full Citation: Feng Q, Lu S, Klimanskaya I, Gomes I, Chung Y, Honig G, Kim K-S, Lanza R, "Hemangioblastic derivatives from human induced pluripotent stem cells exhibit limited expansion and early senescence", STEM CELLS, 2010, DOI: 10.1002/stem.321

About the Author: Robert Lanza, M. D. is considered one of the leading scientists in the world. He is currently Chief Scientific Officer at Advanced Cell Technology, and Adjunct Professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He has hundreds of publications and inventions, and over 20 scientific books: among them, "Principles of Tissue Engineering," which is recognized as the definitive reference in the field.

About STEM CELLS: STEM CELLS, a peer reviewed journal published monthly, provides a forum for prompt publication of original investigative papers and concise reviews. The journal covers all aspects of stem cells: embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells; tissue-specific stem cells; cancer stem cells; the stem cell niche; stem cell epigenetics, genomics and proteomics; and translational and clinical research. For more information, please visit: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121607285/grouphome/home.html

STEM CELLS is co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley-Blackwell.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC and Craigavon, United Kingdom publishes two internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals monthly: STEM CELLS®, now in its 28th year, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research.  The Oncologist® (www.TheOncologist.com), in its 15th year, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. Both journals are lead by globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.  AlphaMed Press publishes the Stem Cells Portal online (www.StemCellsPortal.com), as well as freestanding monographs and books, and is renowned for its excellence and speed in the publication of the peer-reviewed proceedings of major international symposia. For more information on AlphaMed Press, please visit www.alphamedpress.org.

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SOURCE STEM CELLS