Use of RNA for reprogramming somatic cells
View Patent ↗The present invention provides methods for de-differentiating somatic cells into stem-like cells without generating embryos or fetuses. More specifically, the present invention provides methods for effecting the de-differentiation of somatic cells to cells having stem cell characteristics, in particular pluripotency, by introducing RNA encoding factors inducing the de-differentiation of somatic cells into the somatic cells and culturing the somatic cells allowing the cells to de-differentiate.
1. A RNA-transfected somatic cell population which comprises somatic cells subjected to electroporation, containing in vitro transcribed mRNA encoding OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-MYC, wherein the 5′-Cap of said mRNA consists of the D1 isomer of m 2 7,2′-0 GppspG and wherein the transfected cell population expresses alkaline phosphatase and expresses endogenous OCT4, for at least 7 days.
2. The RNA-transfected somatic cell population in accordance with claim 1 wherein the somatic cells are human cells.
3. The RNA-transfected somatic cell population in accordance with claim 2 wherein the human cells are adult human dermal fibroblasts.
4. The RNA transfected somatic cell population in accordance with claim 1 wherein the somatic cells are fibroblasts.