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A step forward in stem cell research
June 27, 2005According to research published today, investigators from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) have used new techniques in the laboratory that allowed them for the first time to derive unlimited numbers of purified mesenchymal precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells (HESCs). Mesenchymal precursor cells are capable of giving rise to fat, cartilage, bone, and skeletal muscle cells, and may potentially be used for regenerative stem cell therapy in bone, cartilage, or muscle replacement.
The new study, demonstrating the specialized techniques for isolating mesenchymal precursors and generating, purifying, and differentiating those cells in culture, is published online and freely available in the journal PLoS Medicine (Public Library of Science).
Researchers took two lines of completely undifferentiated HESCs and by culturing them in the presence of mouse cells, stimulated them to turn into mesenchymal cells. They then treated these cells with compounds to make them change into specialized bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle cells. According to the study, researchers were able to confirm that these cells were all human cells and that there was no evidence that the cells became cancerous.
Mesenchymal precursors derived from HESCs are different from adult mesenchymal cells because they can efficiently differentiate into skeletal muscle (adult mesenchymal cells do not) in addition to fat, cartilage, and bone. Limited numbers of mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated from adult bone marrow and connective tissues, but harvesting these cells from any of these sources requires invasive procedures and the availability of a suitable donor. The capacity of these cells for long-term proliferation is also poor. In contrast, HESCs could provide an unlimited number of specialized cells.
According to Lorenz Studer, MD, PhD, Head of the Stem Cell and Tumor Biology Laboratory at MSKCC and senior author of the PLoS Medicine study, the high purity, unlimited availability, and multi-potentiality of mesenchymal precursors derived from HESCs will provide the basis for preclinical mouse studies to assess the safety of these cells. The investigators have already taken the next step in this research and are testing the therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cell-derived muscle cells in animal models of muscle disorders.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Mesenchymal precursors derived from HESCs are different from adult mesenchymal cells because they can efficiently differentiate into skeletal muscle (adult mesenchymal cells do not) in addition to fat, cartilage, and bone. Limited numbers of mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated from adult bone marrow and connective tissues, but harvesting these cells from any of these sources requires invasive procedures and the availability of a suitable donor. The capacity of these cells for long-term proliferation is also poor. In contrast, HESCs could provide an unlimited number of specialized cells.
According to Lorenz Studer, MD, PhD, Head of the Stem Cell and Tumor Biology Laboratory at MSKCC and senior author of the PLoS Medicine study, the high purity, unlimited availability, and multi-potentiality of mesenchymal precursors derived from HESCs will provide the basis for preclinical mouse studies to assess the safety of these cells. The investigators have already taken the next step in this research and are testing the therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cell-derived muscle cells in animal models of muscle disorders.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Stem Cells Current Events and Stem Cells News RSSNew discovery about the formation of new brain cells
The generation of new nerve cells in the brain is regulated by a peptide known as C3a, which directly affects the stem cells' maturation into nerve cells and is also important for the migration of new nerve cells through the brain tissue, reveals new research from the Sahlgrenska Academy published in the journal Stem Cells.
Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplant may help lung, heart disorders
Two separate studies published in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (18:8), - now freely available on-line have shown that transplanted human-derived umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells transplanted in an animal model had positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders the animal models.
Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants
A commonly inherited gene deletion can increase the likelihood of immune complications following bone marrow transplantation, an international team of researchers reports in the November 22 advance online issue of Nature Genetics.
New research shows versatility of amniotic fluid stem cells
For the first time, scientists have demonstrated that stem cells found in amniotic fluid meet an important test of potential to become specialized cell types, which suggests they may be useful for treating a wider array of diseases and conditions than scientists originally thought.
First reconstitution of an epidermis from human embryonic stem cells
Stem cell research is making great strides. This is yet again illustrated by a study carried out by the I-STEM* Institute (I-STEM/ Inserm UEVE U861/AFM), published in the Lancet on 21 November 2009. The I-STEM team, directed by Marc Peschanski has just succeeded in recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells.
Bone Implant Offers Hope for Skull Deformities
A synthetic bone matrix offers hope for babies born with craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the plates in the skull to fuse too soon.
Your Own Stem Cells Can Treat Heart Disease
The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. The transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells.
Is hepatic differentiation of embryonic stem cells induced by valproic acid and cytokines?
Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure.
Paradoxical protein might prevent cancer
One difficulty with fighting cancer cells is that they are similar in many respects to the body's stem cells. By focusing on the differences, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a new way of tackling colon cancer. The study is presented in the prestigious journal Cell.
U of M researchers find 2 units of umbilical cord blood reduce risk of leukemia recurrence
A new study from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota shows that patients who have acute leukemia and are transplanted with two units of umbilical cord blood (UCB) have significantly reduced risk of the disease returning.
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