Abstract: Factors for extending the ability of isolated pluripotent stem cells to generate extraembryonic lineages in vivo, following in vitro culture, herein, chemical extenders of pluripotency (CEP). Methods of extending the ability of a pluripotent cell to generate embryonic and extraembryonic lineages. The cell to be reprogrammed is contacted with effective amounts of the CEPs for a sufficient period of time to reprogram the cell into a chemically induced extended pluripotent cell (ciEPSC). ciEPSC are identified as an extended pluripotent cell based on properties including: (i) morphologically and (ii) functionally for example, based on their ability contribute to both TE and ICM, in vivo. The ciEPSCs can be cultured or induced to differentiate into cells of a desired type, and used in a number of applications, including but not limited to cell therapy and tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition and a method for inducing pluripotency in non-pluripotent eukaryotic cells. The composition comprises chemical inducers of pluripotency (CIPs) including glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) inhibitors, TGFp receptor inhibitors, cyclic AMP agonists, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAH) inhibitors, and optionally an agent that promotes histone acetylation. The method comprises contacting a cell with the CIPs for a sufficient period of time to reprogram the cell into a pluripotent stem cell.