IN VITRO-DERIVED ADULT PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS AND USES THEREFOR

摘要

Methods for deriving adult pluripotent stem cells from fully differentiated mammalian somatic cells by in vitro nuclear remodeling are provided. Cells cultured from a variety of tissue sources are treated in vitro to reverse tissue specific epigenetic chromosomal changes associated with differentiation. Remodeled cells express embryonic stem cells and demonstrating pluripotency. The cells can be genetically modified to produce heterologous proteins or to correct for genetic defects. Methods for treating a human by implanting in vitro-derived adult pluripotent stem cells (NUCREM cells) and generating engineered tissues for implantation are also disclosed. Advantages to this invention include the non-use of embryos to obtain an unlimited supply of stem for therapy and the ability to generate autologous cells and tissues for therapeutic use.