Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in domestic animals − recent achievements − a review*

Pluripotent cells show the unlimited self-renewal capacity and the potential to differentiate into the cell lineages originating from three germ layers. To date real pluripotent stem cell lines, able to generate germ line chimeras, have been established in rodents. Large domestic animals, especially pig, due to their considerable anatomical and physiological similarities with humans are thought to be convenient model to test potential of pluripotent cells in cell replacement therapy before their clinical use. However, creating pluripotent cells in domestic animals until now has met the limitations due to lack of evidence for germ line contribution. Therefore they can not be considered real pluripotent cells but rather putative embryonic or embryonic-like stem cells. Recently, much attention has been drawn to the reprogramming technologies which enable redirection of differentiated somatic cells to the pluripotent status. The aim of this review is to present the recent achievements in generating of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in domestic animals.