pluripotenttien

Pluripotenttien are a class of stem cells with the ability to differentiate into cell types derived from all three germ layers—ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—and to self-renew extensively in culture. This combination of broad developmental potential and proliferative capacity distinguishes pluripotent cells from multipotent and unipotent stem cells, which are limited to fewer lineages. Pluripotency does not include the ability to form extraembryonic tissues such as the placenta, a capability present in totipotent cells.

The main sources of pluripotent cells are embryonic stem cells (ESCs), derived from the inner cell mass of early embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are mature somatic cells reprogrammed back to a pluripotent state by a set of transcription factors. Common reprogramming factors include Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, though revised methods may omit c-Myc to reduce oncogenic risk. Pluripotent cells express core pluripotency genes and exhibit features such as long telomeres and dynamic DNA methylation, enabling long-term self-renewal.

Culture and characterization vary by species. Mouse pluripotent cells have historically been maintained with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), while human pluripotent cells rely on fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). More recent conditions, including defined media and, in some cases, 2i inhibitors, aim to stabilize a naive pluripotent state.

Applications span disease modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. iPSCs offer patient-specific lines, reducing some immune and ethical concerns associated with ESCs. Challenges include potential tumorigenicity, genomic and epigenomic abnormalities from reprogramming, differentiation efficiency, and regulatory considerations that shape clinical translation.