Abstract
Directly turning a somatic cell type into another (a process referred to as transdifferentiation) would be highly beneficial for producing replacement cells for therapeutic purposes. Adult stem cells have been shown to display a broader differentiation potential than anticipated and may contribute to tissues other than those in which they reside. In addition, novel transdifferentiation strategies are being developed. We report here studies on a functional reprogramming of a somatic cell using a nuclear and cytoplasmic extract from another somatic cell type. Reprogramming of human 293T fibroblasts in an extract from a human T cell line is illustrated by nuclear uptake and assembly of transcription factors, induction of activity of a chromatin remodeling complex, changes in chromatin composition, and activation of lymphoid cell-specific genes. The reprogrammed cells expressed T cell-specific surface antigens and a complex intracellular regulatory function. These studies open the door to new possibilities for producing isogenic replacement cells for therapeutic applications.
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