Stem cells: Perspectives for pig in relation to other species

The derivation of pluripotent stem cells from mouse and human embryos and the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) has initiated a new era of research in the field of regenerative medicine. The need for these cells to be tested in relevant animal models, as well as their potential to be used in the genetic engineering of livestock, has generated significant interest in the establishment of pluripotent stem cell lines from farm animals, including from the porcine species. Despite that to date no true porcine pluripotent stem cell lines have been established from cultured embryonic stem cells, there have been some significant advances in the area of iPSC and mesenchymal stem cells. This review examines the current state of porcine stem cell culture, with focus on the challenges that still need to be overcome in order to allow the wider use of these cells in biomedical models or in the field of animal biotechnology.