Preferential gene expression and epigenetic memory of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from mouse pancreas

Induced pluripotent stem cells (i PSC s) have been established from various somatic cell types. Accumulating evidence suggests that i PSC s from different cell sources have distinct molecular and functional properties. Here, we establish i PSC derived from mouse pancreas (Panc‐i PSC ) and compared their properties with those of i PSC derived from tail‐tip fibroblast ( TTF ‐i PSC ). The metabolic profile differs between Panc‐i PSC and TTF ‐i PSC , indicating distinct cell properties in these i PSC s. Expression of Pdx1 , a marker of pancreas differentiation, is increased through formation of embryoid body ( EB ) in Panc‐i PSC , but the level is similar to that in TTF ‐i PSC . In contrast, EB s derived from Panc‐i PSC express liver‐specific albumin ( Alb ) and alpha‐fetoprotein ( Afp ) genes much more strongly than those from TTF ‐i PSC . Epigenetic analysis shows a different histone modification pattern between Panc‐i PSC and TTF ‐i PSC . Promoter regions of Alb and Afp genes in Panc‐i PSC are suggested to have a more open chromatin structure than those in TTF ‐i PSC , which also is seen in primary cultured pancreatic cells. Our data suggest that Panc‐i PSC possesses distinct differentiation capacity from that of TTF ‐ PSC , which may be influenced by epigenetic memory.