Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Chihiro Tokunaga

Publications

• Research Article
  Foxd1-Dependent and Independent Pathways for Reprogramming from Fibroblasts to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells or Cardiomyocytes
  Author(s): Shu Nakao, Tasuku Tsukamoto, Dai Ihara, Yukihiro Harada, Tomoe Ueyama, Tomoaki Ishida, Chihiro Tokunaga, Tomomi Akama, Takahiro Sogo and Teruhisa KawamuraShu Nakao, Tasuku Tsukamoto, Dai Ihara, Yukihiro Harada, Tomoe Ueyama, Tomoaki Ishida, Chihiro Tokunaga, Tomomi Akama, Takahiro Sogo and Teruhisa Kawamura
  
  Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) can differentiate into any cell type. Cardiomyogenesis from iPSCs is useful for clinical application in myocardial regeneration. However, the efficiency and duration of producing iPSCs and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes must be improved. We previously demonstrated that a surface marker profile of Sca1-CD34- or Foxd1+ during the reprogramming process is a predictor of successful iPSC formation. Here, we examine the correlation of feasibility as iPSC predictors between Sca1-CD34- and Foxd1+ cell populations, and their possibility as predictors for cardiomyocyte transdifferentiation. The fate-tracing analysis revealed that most iPSC colonies were formed from GFP-positive cells in which Foxd1 was transactivated in the middle-to-late phase of the reprogramming process. In addition, GFP expression was observed m.. View More»
  

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