Research progress cellular reprogramming technology and induced pluripotent stem cells for retinal diseases treatment

Current advances in cellular reprogramming technology has demonstrated that the identity of a cell can be converted by the use of master transcription factors to reprogram the transcriptome.Notably, this allows us to convert somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), providing a feasible method to generate patient-specific pluripotent stem cells.This technology was firstly discovered by Shinya Yamanaka’s group in 2006.The initial iPSCs were formed by the induction of dedifferentiation in mouse fibroblasts using transcription factors: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc.This approach has tremendous medical potentials to revolutionize the way we study and develop treatment for ocular diseases.Here we reviewed the potential of using patient-specific iPSCs for 3D disease modeling and various types of retinal disease modeling, cell replacement therapy and clinical trials, high-throughput screening test and drug toxicity testing.We also discussed the recent development of direct reprogramming and the future direction for utilising iPSCs and cellular reprogramming technology for eye research.