Question

Which of the following statement(s) is(are) TRUE about induced pluripotent stem cells?

• A. They can self-renew
• B. They require specific signals to maintain their stemness
• C. They cannot be genetically manipulated
• D. They can form organoids \textit{in vitro}

Hint:

iPSCs behave like embryonic stem cells but are derived from adult somatic cells.
They are powerful tools for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug discovery.
Always remember: self-renewal and pluripotency are the two hallmarks of stem cells.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, D

Step 1: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are generated from somatic cells by reprogramming them with transcription factors. Like embryonic stem cells, they have the property of self-renewal (hence, option A is correct).
Step 2: To maintain their pluripotent state, they require specific external signals and culture conditions, such as growth factors and signaling pathways like LIF/STAT3 or FGF/Activin (hence, option B is correct).
Step 3: iPSCs can be genetically manipulated, which is a major advantage of their use in research. Therefore, the statement that they cannot be genetically manipulated (option C) is false.
Step 4: iPSCs are capable of differentiating into various cell types and forming organoids in vitro that mimic the structure and function of real organs (hence, option D is correct).
\(\therefore\) The true statements are (A), (B), and (D).