Signaling pathways in induced naïve pluripotency.

Pluripotent stem cells have become powerful tools for both research and regenerative medicine. To date, however, only mouse and rat embryonic stem cells (ESCs)/induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have the ability to contribute to the formation of germline-competent chimeras. These stem cells are thus considered as 'naïve' pluripotent stem cells. Several signaling pathways have been identified to play a critical role in the induction and maintenance of this naïve pluripotent state. Understanding how these pathways induce and maintain naïve pluripotency will likely lead to the generation of germline-competent naïve ESCs/iPSCs from humans and animals phylogenetically close to humans.