The research article explores the use of large animal models to evaluate the application of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for regenerative medicine. It summarizes the progress, challenges, and potential future directions of this approach.

Overview of the study on large animal models for iPSC applications

• The research discusses the potential of Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology as a rich and ethically acceptable source for obtaining a variety of human somatic cells. This can be paired with cell therapy or tissue engineering technologies to contribute significantly to regenerative medicine.
• The article emphasizes the need for rigorous preclinical testing of iPSC-based therapies on large animal models, as they more closely mimic the biological or biomechanical properties of humans.
• The researchers make note of advancements from the past decade towards the establishment of iPSC lines from various large animal species. Their aim was to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of iPSC-derived somatic cells before they can be clinically applied to humans.

Challenges and Future Directions

• Despite notable progress, the researchers point out significant barriers, such as the difficulty in acquiring or maintaining the true pluripotency of large animal iPSCs. True pluripotency refers to the characteristic of stem cells being able to evolve into any cell type in the body.
• The researchers also note that while efforts have been made to advance large animal iPSC research, it has often been overshadowed by the focus on mouse and human iPSCs. They argue that more attention and support should be given to this field due to its direct applicability to preclinical studies, which is vital to moving forward with clinical trials.
• The review specifically highlights progress in large animal iPSC research involving pigs, dogs, horses, and sheep/goats. These animal models represent a realistic platform for assessing the utility of iPSC-based therapies in regenerative medicine.

Recommendations

• The researchers advocate for more robust support and attention to large animal iPSC research, given its potential to contribute immensely to regenerative medicine once the challenges of stem cell pluripotency preservation are overcome.
• This review serves as a call to action for raising the profile of iPSC work in large animals and underscores the critical importance of this field in bringing iPSC-based therapies from concept to clinical application.