Efficient method to create integration-free, virus-free, Myc and Lin28-free human induced pluripotent stem cells from adherent cells.

AIM: Nonviral induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC) reprogramming is not efficient without the oncogenes, Myc and Lin28. We describe a robust Myc and Lin28-free IPSC reprogramming approach using reprogramming molecules.

METHODS: IPSC colony formation was compared in the presence and absence of Myc and Lin28 by the mixture of reprogramming molecules and episomal vectors.

RESULTS: While more colonies were observed in cultures transfected with the aforementioned oncogenes, the Myc and Lin28-free method achieved the same reprogramming efficiency as reports that used these oncogenes. Further, all colonies were fully reprogrammed based on expression of SSEA4, even in the absence of Myc and Lin28.

CONCLUSION: This approach satisfies an important regulatory pathway for developing IPSC cell therapies with lower clinical risk.