@article { author = {Liao, Yu-Jing and Chen, Yi-Shiou and Lee, Ja-Xin and Chen, Lih-Ren and Yang, Jenn-Rong}, title = {Effects of Klf4 and c-Myc Knockdown on Pluripotency Maintenance in Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell}, journal = {Cell Journal (Yakhteh)}, volume = {19}, number = {4}, pages = {640-646}, year = {2018}, publisher = {Royan Institute, Iranian Academic Center for Education Culture and Research (ACECR)}, issn = {2228-5806}, eissn = {2228-5814}, doi = {10.22074/cellj.2018.4428}, abstract = {ObjectiveThe importance of Oct4 and Sox2 in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal is well-understood, but the functions of Klf4 and c-Myc has not been fully investigated. In the present study, we attempted to determine the roles of Klf4 and c-Myc on pluripotency maintenance of porcine induced pluripotent stem (piPS) cells. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, we performed short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to knock down the Klf4 and c-Myc functions of piPS cells and examined pluripotency markers and teratoma formation to evaluate piPS cell pluripotency. The shRNA-Klf4 and shRNA-c-Myc vectors containing a reporter gene, TagFP635, were transfected into piPS cells by lentivirus infection. The piPS cells fully expressing infrared fluorescence were selected to confirm gene knockdown of Klf4 and c-Myc reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Next, for pluripotency evaluation, expression of pluripotency markers was detected by immunocytochemical staining, and capability of teratoma formation was investigated by piPS cell transplantation into nonobese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice. Results Our findings indicated that Klf4 and c-Myc functions of piPS cells were knocked down by shRNA transfection, and knockdown of Klf4 and c-Myc functions impaired expression of pluripotency markers such as Oct4, AP, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-6, and TRA-1-81. Furthermore, piPS cells without Klf4 and c-Myc expression failed to form teratomas. Conclusion The pluripotency of piPS cells are crucially dependent upon Klf4 and c-Myc expression. These findings, suggesting potential mechanisms of Klf4 and c-Myc contribution to piPS cell formation, have important implications for application, regulation, and tumorigenesis of piPS cells.}, keywords = {Pluripotency,Short Hairpin RNA}, url = {https://www.celljournal.org/article_250473.html}, eprint = {https://www.celljournal.org/article_250473_36732d7bc6c37373ce70d6209c9e5e37.pdf} }