Obtaining neural stem cells (NSCs) by reprogramming differentiated cells has tremendous therapeutic potential with few ethical problems. Wang et al. used episomal vectors to reprogram human urine cells (epithelial-like cells) into an expandable population of neural progenitors. They demonstrated that, both in vitro and in vivo, these NSCs differentiated into mature neurons and glia. Future studies are required to characterize these cells fully and to determine their suitability for autologous transplantation, which is the ultimate goal.
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