Generation of keratinocytes from normal and recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa-induced pluripotent stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have an unlimited proliferative capacity and extensive differentiation capability. They are an alternative source for regenerative therapies with a potential role in the treatment of several human diseases. The clinical use of ESCs, however, has significant ethical and biological obstacles related to their derivation from embryos and potential for immunological rejection, respectively. These disadvantages can be circumvented by the alternative use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are generated from an individual's (autologous) somatic cells by exogenous expression of defined transcription factors and have biological characteristics similar to ESCs. In recent years, patient-specific iPSCs have been generated to study disease mechanisms and develop

SUBMITTER: Itoh M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3102348 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature