Q.41 Which of the following statement(s) is(are) TRUE about induced pluripotent stem
cells?
(A) They can self–renew
(B) They require specific signals to maintain their stemness
(C) They cannot be genetically manipulated
(D) They can form organoids in vitro
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a cornerstone of modern regenerative medicine, exhibiting key properties like self-renewal and pluripotency. Options (A), (B), and (D) are true, while (C) is false, making the correct answer A, B, and D.
Option Analysis
Option A: They can self-renew
iPSCs possess unlimited self-renewal capacity, dividing asymmetrically to produce identical daughter stem cells while maintaining pluripotency markers like OCT4 and NANOG.
Option B: They require specific signals to maintain their stemness
Stemness in iPSCs depends on extrinsic signals such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or Wnt pathway activation in culture media to sustain pluripotency and prevent spontaneous differentiation.
Option C: They cannot be genetically manipulated
This is false; iPSCs are routinely genetically engineered using CRISPR/Cas9 or viral vectors for disease modeling and therapy, enabling precise edits to study mutations.
Option D: They can form organoids in vitro
iPSCs differentiate into 3D organoids mimicking organs like brain or kidney through directed protocols involving growth factors and scaffolds.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) revolutionize biotechnology by reprogramming adult cells into pluripotent states akin to embryonic stem cells. This induced pluripotent stem cells technology, pioneered by Shinya Yamanaka, enables self-renewal, precise signaling for stemness maintenance, and organoid development in vitro.
Core Characteristics
iPSCs exhibit hallmark pluripotency, expressing genes like OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG for self-renewal. They require specific culture signals, such as bFGF or inhibitors, to preserve stemness against differentiation pressures.
Genetic Manipulation Reality
Contrary to myths, iPSCs support extensive genetic editing via lentiviral or non-integrating methods, facilitating patient-specific models.
Organoid Formation Potential
In vitro, iPSCs form complex organoids—mini-organs—for drug testing and disease studies, driven by morphogen gradients.
