Abstract:Enforced ectopic expression of transcription factors Oct4、Sox2、Klf4 and c-Myc can reprogram matured somatic cells into pluripotent state, leading to the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs). Similar as embryonic stem cells(ESCs), iPSCs have the characters of self-renewal and pluripotency. Comparing to ESCs, iPSCs can not only provide unlimited cell source for regenerative medicine, but also hold promise to override the ethical concerns and immune rejection problems correlated with clinic development of ESCs. Here we gave a brief review on the development of iPSC technology, reprogramming mechanisms and clinic development of iPSCs.