Research Update
Modified mRNA & Cell Reprogramming
The untapped potential of stem cells as tools for disease modeling and regenerative medicine has been a topic embroiled in controversy for over 30 years, primarily due to the ethical issues surrounding their typical source, in vitro fertilization. Researchers have been seeking a source for non-embryonic stem cells for some time. Adult bone marrow cells and placental blood cells have been strong candidates, but not complete solutions. However, an exciting new finding by Warren et al. may hold the key. This cross-institutional team determined an efficient means of reprogramming multiple human cell types using modified mRNA that can express the four primary reprogramming proteins. These cells are referred to as induced pluripotency stem cells (iPSCs). Warren et al. found that enzymatically synthesized RNA employing 5-methyl-CTP (Cat No. N-1014) and pseudo-UTP (Cat No. N-1019) effectively evaded the cell’s antiviral response, a crucial component in their success. TriLink provides not only the modified triphosphates for enzymatic RNA synthesis, but also manufactures custom mRNA oligonucleotides with these modifications.
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Technology Spotlight
RNAa, the Other Side of RNAi
RNAi, or RNA interference is a phenomenon that leads to gene silencing by degradation of the complementary mRNA. This highly potent technology has application in loss of function research and therapeutics, but cannot address systems where activation of a gene of interest is needed. Dr. Li of UCSF recently presented his findings on inducing gene expression at the Oligonucleotide Therapeutic Society Meeting. He found that by targeting the promoter regions of specific genes he observed another phenomenon named dsRNA-induced transcriptional activation or RNAa. He described how RNAa can be used to activate tumor suppressor genes. RNAa also shows promise in expressing pluripotency transcriptional factors in somatic cells. This research has strong implications for ongoing work in the reprogramming of stem cells, as well as therapeutic implications.
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Question of the Month
Q -
What is stem cell potency? What is the difference between omnipotency and pluripotency?
A -
Potency refers to the stem cell’s potential to differentiate into various cell types. The following are the categories of potency and their specifications.
Omnipotent or Totipotent: Cells that can differentiate into any/all types of cells in the body; they can construct a complete organism. These cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cell and the first few cellular divisions.
Pluripotent: Can differentiate into any cells derived from the three germ layers.
Multipotent: Can differentiate into cells within a closely related family of cells.
Oligopotent: Can differentiate into only a few cells.
Unipotent: Can differentiate into only one cell type, but have the property of self-renewal.
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