Methods for reprogramming cells and uses thereof

A method of obtaining a cell having pluripotent-like or multipotent characteristics, comprising:

• i) providing a cell of a first type, which is not a cell having pluripotent-like or multipotent characteristics;
• ii) contacting the cell of a first type with an agent capable of remodeling the chromatin and/or DNA of the cell, wherein the agent capable of remodeling the chromatin and/or DNA is a histone acetylator, an inhibitor of histone deacetylation, a DNA demethylator, and/or an inhibitor of DNA methylation;
• iii) introducing a nucleic acid encoding at least one pluripotent gene regulator in the cell of a first type, to achieve an expression level of the at least one pluripotent gene regulator that is capable of driving transformation of the cell of a first type into the cell having pluripotent-like or multipotent characteristics, wherein the at least one pluripotent gene regulator comprises Nanog, Rex1, Lin28, Tpt1, DPPA4, or a combination thereof;
• and
• iv) placing or maintaining the cell in a differentiation medium and maintaining intracellular levels of the at least one pluripotent gene regulator for a sufficient period of time to allow a stable cell having pluripotent-like or multipotent characteristics to be obtained;
• wherein the cell having pluripotent-like or multipotent characteristics so obtained does not exhibit teratoma formation in vivo.