Induction of pluripotency in human cord blood unrestricted somatic stem cells

Human CB-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells offer an attractive source of cells for generation of iPS cells. Our findings open novel perspectives to generate human leukocyte antigen−matched pluripotent stem cell banks based on existing CB banks. Besides the obvious relevance of a second-generation CB iPS cell bank for pharmacological and toxicological testing, its application for autologous or allogenic regenerative cell transplantation appears feasible.