Abstract
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The skin is an organ of enormous regenerative potential; derived from its rich reservoir of epithelial and mesenchymal (dermal) stem cells. Skin fibroblasts have been manipulated to produce cell lineages that have differentiated into different organs in mice; these cells have also been used to produce transgenic mice comprised entirely from these cells. This paper aims to evaluate two recent independent reports that suggest adult skin fibroblasts can be genetically or chemically manipulated to revert into a pluripotent embryonic stem cell-like state in mouse models. These findings have important implications for regenerative medicine, cell-based therapies and tissue engineering.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.