Metaplasia and transdifferentiation: from pure biology to the clinic

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2007 May;8(5):369-78. doi: 10.1038/nrm2146. Epub 2007 Mar 21.

Abstract

Transformations from one tissue type to another make up a well established set of phenomena that can be explained by the principles of developmental biology. Although these phenomena might be rare in nature, we can now imagine the possibility of deliberately reprogramming cells from one tissue type to another by manipulating the expression of transcription factors. This approach could generate new therapies for many human diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Body Patterning / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Female
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Lens, Crystalline / pathology
  • Lens, Crystalline / physiology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Metaplasia / etiology*
  • Metaplasia / pathology
  • Models, Biological
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / pathology
  • Regeneration / physiology
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • Vagina / pathology