iPSC technology has ushered in a new era of biomedical science. Over the years, Creative Bioarray has made great progress in the field of combining iPSC with gene-editing technology for skin regeneration and research, providing a new platform for customers to dissect the pathophysiology of skin-related diseases and establish cell-based treatment.
Skin Cell Reprogramming to iPSCs
In 2006, Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka made a breakthrough discovery. He found a new method to "reprogram" mature, specialized cells and convert them into stem cells. These laboratory cultured stem cells, called iPSCs, can differentiate into any type of cells in vivo. Specifically, Yamanaka added four transcription factors to the skin cells from mice. This initiates a process called reprogramming in cells and converts skin cells into iPSCs within 2-3 weeks. Currently, scientists can now do this on human cells by adding fewer than four genes.
Until now, cell reprogramming has only been possible by artificially introducing key genes for transformation (called Yamanaka factors) into skin cells, where they are usually not active at all. In a recent study, scientists for the first time achieved activation of the cells' own genes to successfully transform skin cells into pluripotent stem cells by using a gene-editing technique called CRISPRa (CRISPR-Cas9-based gene activation). This technology uses a blunted version of Cas9 "gene scissors", which does not cut DNA and can be used to activate gene expression without altering the genome.
Fig.1 The skin provides a proving ground for human iPSC research. (Ohyama, 2014)
Our Strategies
Creative Bioarray has currently developed multiple strategies to provide our customers with services to reprogram skin cells into iPSCs. Our strategies and services include but are not limited to:
- We introduce reprogramming factors ("Yamanaka factors") into cells to induce pluripotency through nonintegrated systems such as plasmids, mRNAs, proteins fused with cell-penetrating peptides, and nonintegrated Sendai virus vectors.
- We reprogrammed primary human skin fibroblasts into iPSCs by activating endogenous genes using CRISPRa, the latest technology of cell reprogramming.
- We offer services to evaluate the expression of pluripotency-related genes in iPSC colonies, karyotype analysis, and to assess the ability of iPSCs to differentiate in vitro or in vivo to determine if successful iPSC transformation has occurred.
Applications
- Skin Regeneration and Investigation
- Generation of genetic skin disease model caused by single point mutations
- Pathophysiological study of skin-related diseases
- Development of novel therapies for debilitating genetic skin diseases
Advantages
- Allowed for highly efficient reprogramming events
- Reliable and rapid
- Rigorous quality control protocols
Creative Bioarray has developed advanced technologies that allow for the reprogramming of skin cells into iPSCs, and we offer a variety of cell characterization services to ensure that the resulting iPSCs have low transgene persistence and reduced clonal variation. If you require relevant technical support, please contact us directly for more information and a detailed quote.
Reference
- Ohyama, M.; Okano, H. Promise of human induced pluripotent stem cells in skin regeneration and investigation. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2014, 134(3): 605-609.