piPSCs: Protein induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

To date, all methods to generate iPSCs require the use of genetic materials and/or potentially mutagenic chemicals. Using protein engineering technology, stable piPSCs were induced from human fibroblasts by directly delivering four reprogramming proteins (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) fused with a cell-penetrating peptide, as published in Kim et al., (2009) Cell Stem Cell, 4:472-476. These piPSCs exhibit similarities to human embryonic stem cells in morphology, proliferation, global gene expression, DNA methylation patterns, and expression of characteristic pluripotency markers.

Protein reprogramming method with no residual c-Myc transgene for decreased risk of unwanted cellular transformation.

• Recombinant proteins used for creating piPSCs
• Stable through 35 passages
• Choice of 2 independent cell lines available
• Positive for teratoma formation in vivo
• Eliminates risks associated with retroviral integrations