Embryonic stem cells are prized for their ability to mature into all the specialized adult cell types. It may now be possible to reprogramme adult body cells to have the characteristics of stem cells. It is relatively easy to grow an entire plant froma small cutting, but it seems inconceivable that the diverse tissues such as nerve and muscle in mammals like ourselves could be regenerated directly from a single adult tissue. Yet a study by Takahashi and Yamanaka published in Cell has brought us tantaliz-ingly close to just such a possibility. Working with a var iety of fetal and adult mouse cells, including adult fibroblasts from tail clippings, these investigators rejuvenated them using just four genes, restoring their vigour and their potential to differentiate into diverse cell types. This remarkable work improves the prospects for a similar outcome using human cells.
展开▼
