Pluripotency determining factors and uses thereof

Abstract

Pluripotency determining factors are described which act intracellularly and maintain a pluripotent cell in a pluripotent state in the absence of gp130 activation, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a human stem cell, which maintain or confer pluripotency of a mouse ES cell, and which maintain or confer pluripotency of a stem cell from a non-permissive strain of mice. The factors and vectors encoding or activating the factors are used to maintain and derive pluripotent cells, especially of higher mammals, including humans.

1 - 92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . A method of reprogramming or increasing the potency of a mouse or human cell comprising specifically increasing expression of a gene in the cell that encodes a factor which acts intracellularly and maintains or confers pluripotency on a cell in the absence of gp130 activation, wherein the factor is a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, thereby reprogramming or increasing the potency of the cell. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the gene has been introduced into the cell. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the gene is located on an episomal plasmid or is stably integrated. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the factor reprograms or increases the potency of a mouse or human cell. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the factor maintains or confers pluripotency on a cell in the absence of LIF. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein the factor maintains or confers pluripotency on a cell in the absence of feeder cells and in the absence of feeder cell extract. 
     
     
         99 . A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a factor which acts intracellularly and maintains or confers pluripotency on a cell, wherein the factor is a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         100 . The vector of  claim 99 , wherein the factor maintains or confers pluripotency on a cell in the absence of gp130 activation. 
     
     
         101 . The vector of  claim 100  comprising a promoter sequence. 
     
     
         102 . The vector of  claim 101  comprising sequences which enable removal or inactivation of the promoter. 
     
     
         103 . The vector of  claim 99  for transfection of a cell such that the transfected cell may be maintained in a pluripotent state. 
     
     
         104 . The vector of  claim 99  for transfection of a cell such that the transfected cell is reprogrammed or the potency of the transfected cell is increased. 
     
     
         105 . A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a factor which acts intracellularly and promotes self renewal of a pluripotent cell, wherein the factor is a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         106 . A vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a factor which acts intracellularly and inhibits differentiation of a pluripotent cell, wherein the factor is a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         107 . A cell containing a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a factor which acts intracellularly and maintains or confers pluripotency in a cell, wherein the factor is a polypeptide comprising the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. 
     
     
         108 . The cell of  claim 107 , wherein the factor maintains or confers pluripotency in a cell in the absence of gp130 activation. 
     
     
         109 . The cell of  claim 107 , wherein the vector is maintained as an episomal plasmid or is stably integrated. 
     
     
         110 . The cell of  claim 107 , wherein expression of the factor results in the cell being maintained in a pluripotent state. 
     
     
         111 . The cell of  claim 107 , wherein expression of the factor results in the cell being reprogrammed or the potency of the cell being increased. 
     
     
         112 . A cell which is the progeny of the cell of  claim 107 .