Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have been produced just for a few species among order Carnivora: snow leopard, Bengal tiger, serval, jaguar, cat, dog, ferret, and American mink. For the first time, we derived the ringed seal (Phoca hispida) iPS-like cells. We had shown the expression of pluripotency marker gene Rex1. Ringed seal iPS-like cells were able to differentiate into derivatives of endoderm (expression of AFP), mesoderm (adipocytes and osteocytes), and trophectoderm (expression of Cdx2). To confirm pluripotency, we need to differentiate cells into ectoderm cell types, for instance into neurons.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Footnotes
Two typographical errors in references corrected. One reference added (initially was in the text but not included in the Reference section). Minor modifications of Figure 1A (changed part of an image in the scheme).