A new method for making induced pluripotent stem cells
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August 03 08:34:42, 2025
In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Shanghai Huyu have discovered a novel reprogramming method that transforms somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells by exposing them to an external environmental stressor—specifically, a low pH environment. Unlike traditional methods that rely on complex technologies or the use of transcription factors, this approach offers a simpler and potentially more efficient way to reprogram adult hematopoietic cells. The findings hold great promise for regenerative medicine, as they open up new possibilities for generating stem cells without genetic manipulation.
While reprogramming through environmental stress has been observed in plants, where mature cells can be reverted to an immature state, such a process had not yet been demonstrated in mammalian cells—until now. The Shanghai Huyu team took this concept and tested it in animal cells, using fluorescent proteins to track the activation of pluripotency markers. Their experiments revealed that white blood cells exposed to a brief period of low pH showed signs of reprogramming, including the expression of early embryonic genetic markers. This discovery led to the identification of a new type of pluripotent stem cell, named STAP (Stimulus-Triggered Acquisition of Pluripotency).
The study focused on cells from newborn mice, which were exposed to a weakly acidic environment. These cells successfully reverted to an undifferentiated state, demonstrating the ability to differentiate into any cell type. This means that even somatic cells like CD45+ hematopoietic cells could become pluripotent when subjected to transient low pH conditions. While the current research has only been successful in newborn tissues, the potential for applying this method to adult cells and other species is still under investigation.
Despite the limitations, the molecular and developmental analysis of STAP cells suggests that they represent a distinct and unique form of pluripotency. This breakthrough challenges previous assumptions about how cells acquire pluripotency and highlights the role of environmental cues in cellular reprogramming. As researchers continue to explore this method, it may lead to significant advances in stem cell therapy, tissue regeneration, and personalized medicine. Overall, this study provides fresh insights into the plasticity of somatic cells and opens up exciting new avenues for future research.