Patent ID: 8765470
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: C12N

Abstract:
1. A method for producing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from immortalized B cells, wherein the method comprises: a) obtaining immortalized human B cells that have been immortalized by introducing one or more immortalizing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) elements comprising EBNA into B cells; b) reprogramming the immortalized B cells by introducing an exogenous reprogramming episomal vector or vectors encoding exogenous reprogramming factors comprising at least Oct-4 and Sox-2; and c) culturing said cells under defined conditions in the absence of a feeder layer to effect expression of the exogenous reprogramming factors therein for sufficient time to produce iPS cells; and d) removing the EBV and episomal vector elements from the iPS cells to provide human iPS cells that are essentially free of exogenous EBV and episomal vector elements.