array-based relative methylation (CHAR M) to identify in a more restricted part of
the genome series of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between multiple
ESCs and hu man iPSCs and their respective donor cells [75]. Pick et al. also
described the inadequate maintenance of imprinted genes, which was demonstrated
by abnormal DNA methylation of their respective promoters, between donor cells
and some of the resulting h uman iPSCs cell lines [76].
1.3.4 iPSCs from Other Species
After the existing technical hurdles and safety concerns are solved, the jump of
human iPSCs to the first clinical trials will be a monume ntal step that cannot be
made without prior animal validation. Given its ease and reproducibility, mouse
iPSCs are unquestionably the preferred tool for mechanistic studies and technical
innovations that subsequently become validated in the human model. Besides,
proof of the principle that iPSCs have huge therapeutic potential was achieved
early by the Jaenisch laboratory, which showed that mous e iPSC s from a mouse
with sickle cell anemia can be used to correct the mutation using homologous
differentiation followed by hematopoietic progenitor differentiation and transplan-
tation [77]. However, in general the differences in size, physiology, and life span
between mice and humans are too big for valuable comparisons. For example, the
heart beat frequency in mice is several hundred per minute compared to around 70
in humans, challenging if not invaliding any possible conclusions mad e after iPSC
derived-cardiomyocytes transplantation. This has encouraged researchers to
develop iPSCs from other mammalian species, specifically the rat, monkey, and
pig in this order. Rat iPSCs were generated by two independent groups [78, 79]
following the successful isolation of rat ESCs using extracellular signal-regulated
kinase-1 (ERK) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) inhibitors by Smith
and Ying [80, 81]. Li et al. used fibroblasts and SKOM retroviruses [78], while Liao
et al. used fibroblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal cells infected with inducible
lentiviruses [79]. In both studies, rat iPSC pluripotency was demonstrated by
teratomas, and the formation of chimeric animals (without germ lin e transmission)
was only reported by Li et al. [78]. Rats are larger than mice and, although their life
span and physiology also differ from humans, they are excellent laboratory animals
for a wide range of diseases. Monkey iPSCs were then produced from Rhesus
monkey (Macaca mulatta) skin fibroblasts using SKOM retroviruses by Deng and
collaborators, whose pluripotency was judged on the base of teratoma formation
[82]. A problem of monkeys is that their close phylogenetic relationship with
humans still raises ethica l concerns and, besides, in most countries there is no
easy access to these animals. Aiming to develop a large animal model which is
exempt of these problems, Esteban et al. [83] and later on Wu et al. [84] and Ezashi
et al. [85] reported the generation of porcine iPSCs using retroviruses or lentiviruses
and fibroblasts or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from Tibetan mini-pig and
farm pig (Sus scrofa). Although chimeric animals were not presented, pluripotency
was demonstrated by teratoma formation. Notably, reliable teratomas had not been
136 M.A. Esteban et al.