Perspectives on cell reprogramming with RNA

Abstract

Recent advances in cell reprogramming have permitted the development of different stem cell lines and specific differentiated cell types using distinct technologies. Cell reprogramming is largely mediated by DNA and RNA. In this review, we explore the RNA mediated cell reprogramming to induce specific target cell generation including stem cells, brain cells and cardiac cells. The ability of RNA populations to produce direct cell to cell phenotypic conversion is called Transcriptome Induced Phenotype Remodeling (TIPeR). The theory and utility of RNA use for cellular reprogramming is explored in this review.

The Human Cell Atlas

“…, cell-cycle stage), the inherent noise in molecular systems ( Eldar and Elowitz, 2010 ; Kharchenko et al, 2014 ; Kim et al, 2015 ; Shalek et al, 2013 ), and measurement errors ( Buettner et al, 2015 ; Kharchenko et al, 2014 ; Kim et al, 2015 ; Shalek et al, 2013 ; Shalek et al, 2014 ; Wagner et al, 2016 ). Thus, a cell 'type' might be defined as a region or a probability distribution ( Kim and Eberwine, 2010 ; Sul et al, 2012 ) either in the full-dimensional space or in a projection onto a lower-dimensional space that reflects salient features.…”

The Human Cell Atlas

“…In an atlas where cells are represented as points in a high-dimensional space, "similar" cells should be "close" in some appropriate sense-although not identical, owing to differences in physiological states (e.g., cell-cycle stage), the inherent noise in molecular systems (Eldar and Elowitz, 2010;Kharchenko et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2015;Shalek et al, 2013), and measurement errors Kharchenko et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2015;Shalek et al, 2013;Shalek et al, 2014;Wagner et al, 2016). Thus, a cell "type" might be defined as a region or a probability distribution (Kim and Eberwine, 2010;Sul et al, 2012) -either in the full-dimensional space or in a projection onto a lower-dimensional space that reflects salient features.…”

Determinants of expression variability

“…For instance, perturbing a cell’s expression profile via transfection can change its identity (2,3). As a corollary, expression level of a gene can vary greatly across cell types.…”

“…The multitude of cell types in a multicellular organism exhibit morphological and functional diversity, which is characterized, and in large part determined, by the distinct expression profile of each cell type ( 1 ). For instance, perturbing a cell’s expression profile via transfection can change its identity ( 2 , 3 ). As a corollary, expression level of a gene can vary greatly across cell types.…”