Open AccessUnveiling epigenetic regulation in cancer, aging, and rejuvenation with in vivo reprogramming technology
Author(s) -
Sogabe Yuko,
Seno Hiroshi,
Yamamoto Takuya,
Yamada Yasuhiro
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13731
Subject(s) - reprogramming , epigenetics , biology , somatic cell , induced pluripotent stem cell , regenerative medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , cellular differentiation , genetics , embryonic stem cell , cell , gene
Reprogramming technology has enabled the fate conversion of terminally differentiated somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells or into another differentiated state. A dynamic reorganization of epigenetic regulation takes place during cellular reprogramming. Given that reprogramming does not require changes in the underlying genome, the technology can be used to actively modify epigenetic regulation. Although reprogramming has been investigated mostly at the cellular level in vitro, studies have reported that somatic cells are reprogrammable in multicellular organisms in vivo. In vivo reprogramming provides a potential strategy for regenerative medicine. Notably, recent studies using in vivo reprogramming technology to alter epigenetic regulation at organismal levels have revealed unappreciated epigenetic mechanisms in various biological phenomena, including cancer development, tissue regeneration, aging, and rejuvenation in mammals. Moreover, in vivo reprogramming technology can be applied to abrogate epigenetic aberrations associated with aging and cancer, which raises the possibility that the technology could provide a potential strategy to control the fate of detrimental cells such as senescent cells and cancer cells in vivo. Here, we review recent progress and future perspectives of in vivo reprogramming.