What do human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derive from?

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are derived from somatic cells, which are any cells of the body that are not sperm or egg cells. The significance of this derives from the process of reprogramming these somatic cells to return them to a pluripotent state, meaning they can differentiate into almost any cell type in the body. This reprogramming typically involves introducing specific transcription factors that trigger the cells to revert to a state similar to that of embryonic stem cells.

The ability to generate hiPSCs from somatic cells, such as skin fibroblasts or blood cells, is revolutionary because it allows for the creation of patient-specific stem cells without the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells. This property of deriving pluripotent stem cells from readily available and easily accessible somatic cells makes them particularly valuable for research, drug development, and potential regenerative therapies.