Research progress on chemical reprogramming for inducing human pluripotent stem cells

Pluripotent stem cells have enormous potential in regenerative medicine because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types. Through the utilization of small molecules, chemical reprogramming entails precise regulation of cell signaling pathways and epigenetic landscapes, which allows somatic cells to acquire plasticity and undergo cell fate transitions. Chemical reprogramming of human somatic cells toward pluripotency has lately been established and further optimized, presenting a novel approach for generating human pluripotent stem cells. Recent mechanistic studies have elucidated the molecular trajectories of chemical reprogramming and the key molecular events involved. Moreover, chemical reprogramming has achieved breakthroughs in disease treatment, highlighting its significant potential for regenerative medicine. This review summarizes the recent advances in technology, mechanistic studies, and clinical applications of human chemical reprogramming, and provides an outlook on future research directions.