Expanding the Differentiation Potential of Already-Established Pluripotent Stem Cells

Abstract

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have proven to be an essential tool in many research fields including basic cell biology, development, or human disease. In addition, we are only starting to see their potential in regenerative medicine. Manipulation and culture of PSCs, however, imposes limitations in the quality of these cells and their ability to differentiate into functional cells with physiological function. Here we propose a novel and simple technique based on the transient expression of a single microRNA molecule to expand the differentiation potency of a wide range of PSCs including induced PSCs (iPSCs) as well as embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This method requires no genetic modification of PSCs and achieves stable improvement of the differentiation potential of these cells through several cell passages both in vitro and in vivo.