Title:Small Molecules in Stem Cell Research
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Author(s): Anne-Caroline Schmole, Rayk Hubner, Matthias Beller, Arndt Rolfs and Moritz J. Frech
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Small molecules, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells
Abstract: Stem cells possess great promise as therapeutic tools for neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases
(Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke), neurotraumata (spinal cord injury)
and demyelinating diseases (multiple sclerosis). This aspiration is based on the cells` ability to maintain a status of
self-renewal and to differentiate into the various cell types of an organism. The use of the cells ranges from in vitro to in
vivo studies in animal models, ending with clinical applications in humans. The self-renewal and commitment of
stem/progenitor cells to differentiate and mature involves complex events leading to the generation of different phenotypes
via distinctive developmental programs. Small molecules provide a tool with which to influence these regulatory
changes in a controlled manner and to help understand the underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, substantial progress in
generating induced pluripotent stem cells has been made using small molecules to replace reprogramming factors and enhance
the reprogramming efficiency and kinetics, thus generating cells more compatible with the requirements for cell replacement
therapies. In this review we will present the recent progress on the use of small molecules in embryonic and induced
pluripotent stem cell research. In the final section we will give a short summary of the clinical approaches using
these cells.
