Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42458070›Full record

ArticleEMBO reports2026

IRAK4 constrains cellular plasticity during chemically-induced cell fate reprogramming into multiple lineages.

Chuanshu Huang, Xiaoyun Han, Tao Wang, Yang Zhao, Jun Li

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in EMBO reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Chuanshu Huang *Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. huangchuanshu@ojlab.AC.cn.ORCID 0000-0002-3155-8803
Xiaoyun Han *Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.ORCID 0009-0004-1689-2768
Tao Wang *Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, China.ORCID 0009-0008-4285-2005
Yang ZhaoState Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Advanced Center of Cellular Homeostasis and Aging-Related Diseases, Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. yangzhao@pku.edu.cn.ORCID 0000-0002-0856-2724
Jun Li *Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. jun.li@wmu.edu.cn.ORCID 0000-0001-9668-343X

Funding

Fundamental Research Foundation of wenzhou medical university KYYW202319 and KYYW202401MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) 32400603MOST | NSFC | NSFC-Zhejiang Joint Fund | | Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (ZJNSF) LQ24H110004
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Chemical reprogramming holds transformative potential for regenerative medicine. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing cell fate transitions are not well understood. Here, we identify Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinase 4 (IRAK4) as a barrier to multi-lineage reprogramming. Pharmacological inhibition of IRAK4 enhances the reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) through a chemically activated multi-lineage priming (CaMP) state and extraembryonic endoderm (XEN)-like intermediates, increasing colony formation, and the expression of core XEN regulators (Sox17, Gata4, Sall4, and Foxa2). Genetic knockdown of Irak4 similarly accelerates reprogramming, whereas its overexpression blocks cell fate transitions. IRAK4 inhibition enhances chromatin accessibility and reshapes cell cycle dynamics, characterized by G0/G1 shortening and G2/M lengthening, potentially contributing to multi-lineage state establishment. Furthermore, IRAK4 suppression enhances the direct conversion of MEFs to neuron-like and hepatocyte-like cells, which exhibit enhanced functional maturity, including increased glycogen storage and improved detoxification capacity. Our findings establish IRAK4 as a regulator that constrains cellular plasticity potentially by coordinating chromatin accessibility and cell cycle dynamics.

Indexed as

Cell LineageCell PlasticityCellular ReprogrammingInterleukin-1 Receptor-Associated KinasesAnimalsCell CycleCell DifferentiationEndodermFibroblastsHepatocytesMiceNeuronsInterleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases

Identifiers

PMID42458070
PMCPMC13503836

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.