Chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells

Cellular reprogramming can manipulate the identity of cells to generate the desired cell types(1-3). The use of cell intrinsic components, including oocyte cytoplasm and transcription factors, can enforce somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotent stem cells(4-7). By contrast, chemical stimulation by exposure to small molecules offers an alternative approach that can manipulate cell fate in a simple and highly controllable manner(8-10). However, human somatic cells are refractory to chemical stimulation owing to their stable epigenome(2,11,12) and reduced plasticity(13,14); it is therefore challenging to induce human pluripotent stem cells by chemical reprogramming. Here we demonstrate, by creating an intermediate plastic state, the chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells to human chemically induced pluripotent stem cells that exhibit key features of embryonic stem cells. The whole chemical reprogramming trajectory analysis delineated the induction of the intermediate plastic state at the early stage, during which chemical-induced dedifferentiation occurred, and this process was similar to the dedifferentiation process that occurs in axolotl limb regeneration. Moreover, we identified the JNK pathway as a major barrier to chemical reprogramming, the inhibition of which was indispensable for inducing cell plasticity and a regeneration-like program by suppressing pro-inflammatory pathways. Our chemical approach provides a platform for the generation and application of human pluripotent stem cells in biomedicine. This study lays foundations for developing regenerative therapeutic strategies that use well-defined chemicals to change cell fates in humans.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells to human chemically induced pluripotent stem cells, which exhibit key features of embryonic stem cells. The induction of an intermediate plastic state and inhibition of the JNK pathway are crucial for successful chemical reprogramming.