Signaling pathways in induced naive 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 `naive' pluripotent stem cells. Several signaling pathways have been identified to play a critical role in the induction and maintenance of this naive pluripotent state. Understanding how these pathways induce and maintain naive pluripotency will likely lead to the generation of germline-competent naive ESCs/iPSCs from humans and animals phylogenetically close to humans.