In a recent mini review published in Biochemical Society Transactions, Maria Arez and Simão Rocha examine why genomic imprints are unstable in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), with a focus on mouse and human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs and iPSCs).
Pluripotent stem cells have the remarkable ability to self-renew and differentiate into nearly any cell type, making them invaluable for research and therapeutic applications. However, they are also prone to genetic and epigenetic instabilities that may compromise their safety and reliability.
The review highlights imprinting errors—epigenetic defects affecting the parent-of-origin-specific monoallelic expression of genes through DNA methylation—as the most recurrent instability in PSCs. Once established, these imprinting defects persist during differentiation, raising concerns for the use of PSC-derived cells in disease modelling and regenerative medicine.
The authors provide an overview of imprinting defects in mouse and human PSCs, exploring their origins, biological consequences, and potential correction strategies aimed at improving imprinting stability. Their work points toward future approaches to ensure safer and more reliable applications of PSCs in both research and clinical contexts.
Read the full work at: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20243003