p53 safeguards chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells towards pluripotency [bulk RNA-seq]

However, reprogramming can be risky due to dramatic changes in cell identity, necessitating strict regulation to ensure safety and efficacy. p53 is essential for maintaining genome stability to prevent abnormalities induced by changes of cell states, which however, functionally counters Yamanaka factors for efficient reprogramming.

Thus, delicately balancing p53 activity for efficient reprogramming with highly quality has proven challenging. Here, we demonstrate that efficient human chemical reprogramming is safeguarded by p53, in distinction from Yamanaka factors-mediated reprogramming. Suppressing p53 activity unexpectedly and substantially hinders the generation of chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs).