Ability of ES Cells to De-differentiated and Reprogram Other Cells is Augmented by Nanog Overexpression in ES Cells

Edinburgh, UK -

Dr. Austin Smith’s group reported the ability of embryonic stem cells to reprogram somatic cells is markedly augmented by overexpression of the Nanog transcription factor in the embryonic stem cell (Silva J et al. Nanog promotes transfer of pluripotency after cell fusion. Nature. 2006 Jun 22;441(7096):997-1001).

These findings are of great importance to the area of regenerative medicine since they demonstrate mechanisms by which embryonic stem cells may be “supercharged” to have higher ability to “wipe the slate clean” of differentiated cells and endow them with pluripotency.

Clinical translation of this research can take many forms. In the most obvious manner, cells from a patient may be reprogrammed to generate autologous stem cells by the use of Nanog-overexpressing stem cell lines.

This finding is interesting since it seems to have been prophesized by US patent application # 20060188489 in which Sugaya; Kiminobu; et al. claimed introduction of Nanog into cells as a means of increasing their potency as stem cells. This application claims priority from two documents filed Oct. 22, 2004 and Feb. 4, 2005. Dr. Sugaya’s contact info is:

Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya
Professor, Biomedical Sciences Center
Phone: 407-823-1524
Lab: 407-823-3387
Fax: 407-823-0956
E-mail: ksugaya@mail.ucf.edu