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World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2014; 6(5): 598-605
Published online Nov 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i5.598
Changes in human pluripotent stem cell gene expression after genotoxic stress exposures
Mykyta V Sokolov, Ronald D Neumann
Mykyta V Sokolov, Ronald D Neumann, Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
Author contributions: Sokolov MV and Neumann RD contributed to this paper.
Supported by The Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center
Correspondence to: Mykyta V Sokolov, PhD, Nuclear Medicine Division, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States. sokolovm@mail.nih.gov
Telephone: +1-301-4356192 Fax: +1-301-4809712
Received: July 24, 2014
Revised: September 12, 2014
Accepted: September 17, 2014
Published online: November 26, 2014
Processing time: 66 Days and 13.8 Hours
Abstract

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represent heterogeneous populations, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), endogenous plastic somatic cells, and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Human ESCs are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, and they are characterized by the abilities to self-renew indefinitely, and to give rise to all cell types of embryonic lineage (pluripotency) under the guidance of the appropriate chemical, mechanical and environmental cues. The combination of these critical features is unique to hESCs, and set them apart from other human cells. The expectations are high to utilize hESCs for treating injuries and degenerative diseases; for modeling of complex illnesses and development; for screening and testing of pharmacological products; and for examining toxicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, and potential carcinogenic effects of a variety of environmental factors, including ionizing radiation (IR). Exposures to genotoxic stresses, such as background IR, are unavoidable; moreover, IR is widely used in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in medicine on a routine basis. One of the key outcomes of cell exposures to IR is the change in gene expression, which may underlie the ultimate hESCs fate after such a stress. However, gaps in our knowledge about basic biology of hESCs impose a serious limitation to fully realize the potential of hESCs in practice. The purpose of this review is to examine the available evidence of alterations in gene expression in human pluripotent stem cells after genotoxic stress, and to discuss strategies for future research in this important area.

Keywords: Human pluripotent stem cells; Gene expression alterations; Genotoxic stress; Ionizing radiation

Core tip: Genome-wide alterations in gene expression in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) following genotoxic stress exposures may underlie the ultimate fate and outcome of practical utility of hPSCs which makes systematic studies of these effects a high priority in stem cell research.