Sterilization of cats and other pets, such as by removal of the uterus, is a common procedure, with the donated uterus of cats providing the cells needed to generate feline induced pluripotent stem cells. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University
As part of medical advances aimed at improving people’s quality of life, a team led by Osaka Metropolitan University has, for the first time in the world, generated high-quality feline induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have the potential to help pets and humans.
Human embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been generated from just four genes, called transcription factors, but feline embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been difficult to generate. Professor Shingo Hatoya of the Graduate School of Veterinary Science led the team in introducing six transcription factors via the Sendai virus vector to generate feline embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from cat cells, including those derived from the uterus that were donated when the cats were spayed.
The team reports back Regenerative therapy These are the first high-quality feline iPS cells. They exhibit properties of many iPS cells, such as teratoma formation, proving that they can differentiate into a wide variety of cells.
The stem cells generated also have no genetic fingerprint, meaning they are less likely to form tumors when implanted in another cat. Additionally, they can be stored without food, like mouse fibroblasts, making them safer because they do not mix cells from different species.
“Chronic kidney disease and diabetes are serious problems, especially in cats,” said Professor Hatoya. “Establishing a method for cells to form a kidney or pancreas from feline iPS cells will be a challenge for future research.”
Professor Hatoya, who has previously reported on advances in feeder-free canine embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), added: “The high-quality feline embryonic pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) made possible by this research should be provided to researchers worldwide for use in veterinary regenerative medicine research, for understanding the pathophysiology of genetic diseases, and for the development of novel therapeutic agents.”
More information:
Kazuto Kimura et al., Generation of high-quality, imprint-free feline induced pluripotent stem cells using the Sendai virus vector, Regenerative therapy (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.08.012
Provided by Osaka Metropolitan University
Quote:Feeder-free induced pluripotent stem cells show promise for chronic kidney disease therapies in cats (2024, September 4) retrieved September 4, 2024 from
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
