Modified lentiviral LTRs allow Flp recombinase-mediated cassette exchange and in vivo tracing of "factor-free" induced pluripotent stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Methods for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for disease modeling and cell therapies have progressed from integrating vectors to transient delivery of reprogramming factors, avoiding permanent genomic modification. A major limitation of unmodified iPSCs is the assessment of their distribution and contribution to adverse reactions in autologous cell therapy. Here, we report that polycistronic lentiviral vectors with single Flp recombinase (Flp) recognition target (FRT) sites can be used to generate murine iPSCs that are devoid of the reprogramming cassette but carry an intergenic 300-bp long terminal repeat sequence. Performing quantitative polymerase chain reaction on this marker, we could determine genetic identity and tissue contribution of iPSC-derived teratomas in mice

SUBMITTER: Kuehle J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4015239 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature