Advances in canine iPSC technology: Current methods and future directions — A narrative review

Abstract

Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (ciPSCs) hold significant promise for veterinary regenerative medicine and as translational models for human diseases. Deriving these cells from somatic sources also circumvents ethical concerns associated with embryonic material. However, progress in the field is impeded by challenges such as low reprogramming efficiency, lack of standardization, unique epigenetic barriers, and ambiguous pluripotency states. This narrative review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of current approaches to ciPSC generation and characterization, emphasizing recent advancements in donor cell selection, reprogramming methodologies, culture conditions, and analytical techniques. Furthermore, the review explores emerging applications in regenerative medicine and disease modeling, discussing both future potential and current limitations. Addressing these challenges through improved protocols and effective differentiation strategies is crucial to fully unlocking ciPSC technology's research and therapeutic value.