Craniofacial reconstruction with induced pluripotent stem cells

J Craniofac Surg. 2012 May;23(3):623-6. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e318252f41b.

Abstract

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold enormous promise for the treatment of complex tissue defects throughout the entire body. The ability for iPSCs to form all tissue types makes them an ideal autogenous cellular building block for tissue engineering strategies designed to replace any combination of skin, muscle, nerve, and bone deficiencies in the craniofacial region. Several obstacles to their use remain, however, chief among which include concerns over insertional mutagenesis and tumorigenicity. As studies continue to develop strategies minimizing these risks, the potential for development of patient-specific regenerative therapies has become tantalizingly close.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / surgery*
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / trends*
  • Risk Factors
  • Teratoma / etiology