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Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been generated by reprogramming a number of different somatic cell types using a variety of approaches. In addition, direct reprogramming of mature cells from one lineage to another has emerged recently as an alternative strategy for generating cell types of interest. Here we show that a combination of a microRNA (miR-124) and two transcription factors (MYT1L and BRN2) is sufficient to directly reprogram postnatal and adult human primary dermal fibroblasts (mesoderm) to functional neurons (ectoderm) under precisely defined conditions. These human induced neurons (hiNs) exhibit typical neuronal morphology and marker gene expression, fire action potentials, and produce functional synapses between each other. Our findings have major implications for cell-replacement strategies in neurodegenerative diseases, disease modeling, and neural developmental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the use of induced pluripotent stem cell technology which include reprogramming somatic cells into pluripotent cells by introducing defined transcription factors (TFs), holds a great potential in biomedical research and regenerative medicine. It notes that strategies have been developed to identify chemical compounds that enhance the kinetics of cell reprogramming. Details regarding the attempts to optimize reprogramming process using TFs is discussed.

The article focuses on a study regarding the generation of rat and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The generative process used defined genetic transduction methods in reprogramming somatic murine and human cells. An examination of the developmental potential of rat iPSCs (riPSCs) was done using in vitro differentiation assays to extend their phenotypic analysis and comparison to embryonic stem cells (mESCs).