Collaborative Rewiring of the Pluripotency Network by Chromatin and Signaling Modulating Pathways Researchers show that combining ascorbic acid and MAP kinase and glycogen synthetase kinase inhibitors increases the efficiency of reprogramming from fibroblasts and synergistically enhances conversion of partially reprogrammed intermediates to the induced pluripotent stem cells state. [Nat Commun] Full Article Rapid Reprogramming of Epigenetic and Transcriptional Profiles in Mammalian Culture Systems The authors demonstrate that adaptation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts to cell culture results in a rapid reprogramming of epigenetic and transcriptional states. They observed global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine erasure within three days of culture initiation. [Genome Biol] Abstract | Full Article Haploinsufficiency Screen Highlights Two Distinct Groups of Ribosomal Protein Genes Essential for Embryonic Stem Cell Fate In a functional genomics screen of mouse embryonic stem cells with nested hemizygous chromosomal deletions, researchers reveal that ribosomal protein genes are the most significant haploinsufficient determinants for embryoid body formation. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article Ezh2 Mediated H3K27me3 Activity Facilitates Somatic Transition during Human Pluripotent Reprogramming The authors demonstrate that histone methyl transferase activity of Ezh2 is required for mesenchymal to epithelial transition during human iPSC generation. They show that the H3K27me3 activity favors induction of pluripotency by transcriptionally targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway. [Sci Rep] Full Article An Atypical Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Line with a Complex, Stable, and Balanced Genomic Rearrangement Including a Large De Novo 1q Uniparental Disomy Researchers report the characterization of an human induced pluripotent stem cell line generated by daily transfections of modified messenger RNAs, displaying several genomic abnormalities. Karyotype analysis showed a complex genomic rearrangement, which remained stable during long-term culture. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract DMSO Efficiently Down Regulates Pluripotency Genes in Human Embryonic Stem Cells during Definitive Endoderm Derivation and Increases the Proficiency of Hepatic Differentiation Scientists present a novel approach to rapidly and efficiently down regulate pluripotency genes during initiation of differentiation to definitive endoderm cells by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to activin A-based culture medium and report its effects on the downstream differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells. [PLoS One] Full Article Generation of Enterocyte-Like Cells with Pharmacokinetic Functions from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Small-Molecule Compounds Investigators constructed an intestinal pharmacokinetics evaluation system and to generate pharmacokinetically functional enterocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Drug Metab Dispos] Abstract Characterization of Porcine Partially Reprogrammed iPSCs from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Researchers obtained partially reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from porcine adipose-derived stem cells by ectopic expression of human transcription factors in feeder-free condition. [Reproduction] Abstract Use of RUNX2 Expression to Identify Osteogenic Progenitor Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells The authors generated a RUNX2-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter system to study osteogenic development from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Their studies demonstrate the fidelity of YFP expression with expression of RUNX2 and other osteogenic genes in hESC-derived osteoprogenitor cells, as well as the osteogenic specificity of YFP signal. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release |