Methods for reprogramming cells and uses thereof

A method of obtaining a Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC), comprising:

• i) providing a cell of a first type;
• ii) contacting chromatin and/or DNA of the cell of a first type with a histone acetylator, an inhibitor of histone deacetylation, a DNA demethylator, and/or an inhibitor of DNA methylation;
• and
• iii) increasing intracellular levels of at least one gene regulator for a HSC selected from the group consisting of Brachyury (T), Caudal Type Homeobox 4 (CDX4), Homeobox B4 (HOXB4), GATA Binding Factor 1 (GATA1), Kruppel-like Factor 1 (KLF1), Left-right determination factor 1 (LEFTY1), Eomesodermin (EOMES), Delta-like protein 1 precursor (DLL1), GATA Binding Factor 4 (GATA4), GATA Binding Factor 6 (GATA6), Heart and Neural Crest Derivatives Expressed-1 (HAND1), Insulin gene enhancer protein (ISL1), and NK2 Homeobox 5 (NKX2.5), or one or more polynucleotide encoding said at least one gene regulator, wherein the at least one gene regulator is capable of driving directly or indirectly transformation of the cell of the first type into the HSC whereby an HSC is obtained.

A process wherein a cell of a first type is reprogrammed to a Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC), comprising:

• (i) transiently increasing expression of at least one gene regulator, wherein said expression of the at least one gene regulator is necessary for the existence of the HSC;
• (ii) stably expressing said at least one gene regulator;
• and
• (iii) stably expressing a plurality of secondary genes, wherein the stable expression of said plurality of secondary genes is the result of the stable expression of the at least one gene regulator, and wherein:
• (i) stable expression of said plurality of secondary genes is characteristic of phenotypical and/or functional properties of the HSC, (ii) stable expression of at least one of said secondary genes is not characteristic of phenotypical and functional properties of an embryonic stem cell, and wherein (i) and (ii) are indicative of successful reprogramming of the cell of the first type to the HSC.