Advancements in Research on hiPSC-Derived Cells

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 344

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
Interests: human induced pluripotent stem cells; hematopoietic stem cells; hematopoietic progenitors; hemogenic endothelial cells; endothelial cells; T cells; NK cells; macrophages; B cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have transformed regenerative medicine by providing a sustainable source of numerous cell types and enabling researchers to generate patient-specific cells for drug testing and transplantation. These cells have significant applications in neurological disorders, immunotherapy, and precision medicine and can differentiate into neurons, cardiomyocytes, and immune cells (mainly T cells, NK cells, B cells, and macrophages), allowing personalized treatment.

Recent advancements in genetic engineering, particularly the introduction of CRISPR-Cas9, have enhanced iPSC-derived cell applications. By correcting genetic mutations, this gene-editing tool refines disease modeling, drug screening, and cell-based therapies. Cancer and autoimmune disease treatment has improved due to the generation of immune cells such as T and NK cells. These breakthroughs make cell-based immunotherapies more accessible and practical. As genetic engineering and cell differentiation progress, iPSCs have the potential to revolutionize disease treatment and improve human health, particularly in neurological, cardiac, and immune disorders.

We invite researchers and scientists to contribute to this growing field by submitting their original research articles and review papers on hiPSC-derived cells. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • Advances in iPSC technology and differentiation methods.
  • Genetic engineering in iPSCs using the CRISPR-Cas9 system and its applications.
  • iPSC-derived cells for cardiac disorders and hematological, neurological, and regenerative medicine.
  • Immune cell generation from iPSCs and their role in immunotherapy.
  • Translational challenges in iPSC applications.

We encourage you to submit your manuscript for consideration if you are currently conducting related research. We look forward to your contributions to advancing this dynamic field.

Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • hiPSCs
  • hematopoietic progenitors
  • T cells
  • NK cells
  • cardiac cells
  • B cells
  • macrophages
  • neutrophiles
  • CRISPR/Cas9 technology
  • genetic engineering

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 7265 KiB  
Article
Efficient Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Definitive Endoderm Cells with Growth Factors and Small Molecules
by Faizal Z. Asumda, Shadia Alzoubi, Kiyasha Padarath, Nina John, Kimya Jones, Ravindra Kolhe, Ashis Kumar Mondal, Tae Jin Lee, Wenbo Zhi, Robert C. Huebert, Nathan P. Staff and Lindsey A. Kirkeby
Cells 2025, 14(11), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14110815 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 242
Abstract
Definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation leads to the development of the major internal organs including the liver, intestines, pancreas, gall bladder, prostate, bladder, thyroid, and lungs. The two primary methods utilized for in vitro differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into DE cells [...] Read more.
Definitive endoderm (DE) differentiation leads to the development of the major internal organs including the liver, intestines, pancreas, gall bladder, prostate, bladder, thyroid, and lungs. The two primary methods utilized for in vitro differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into DE cells are the growth factor (GF) and the small molecule (SM) approaches. The GSK-3 inhibitor (CHIR99021) is a key factor for the SM approach. Activin A and Wnt3a are utilized in the GF approach. In this study, both the GF and SM protocols were compared to each other. The results show that both the GF and SM protocol produce DE with a similar morphological phenotype, gene and protein expression, and a similar level of homogeneity and functionality. However, on both the gene expression and proteomic level, there is a divergence between the two protocols during hepatic specification. Proteomic analysis shows that hepatoblasts from the GF protocol have significantly differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in liver metabolic pathways compared to the SM protocol. Well-validated DE differentiation protocols are needed to fully unlock the clinical potential of iPSCs. In the first step of generating DE-derived tissue, either protocol can be utilized. However, for hepatic specification, the GF protocol is more effective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Research on hiPSC-Derived Cells)
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