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A new method of adult stem cell growth efficacious in treatment of disorders of the cornea
July 20, 2007A new method of adult stem cell growth, designed in the Area of Cellular Therapy of the University Clinic (University of Navarra), has demonstrated its efficacy for its capacity to grow cornea stem cells. So Ana Fernández Hortelano, ophthalmologist at the Hospital demonstrated on applying the growth technique in treating diseases of the cornea, using stem cells, in 70 test animals (rabbits). The aim of the procedure was to regain the damaged epithelium and thus restore transparency to the cornea.
In concrete, the thesis defended by doctor Fernández Hortelano at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Navarra, proves the therapeutic efficiency in using corneal stem cells in patients with pathologies of the cornea, such as caustications or ocular herpes, by using stem cells from a healthy contralateral eye. The technique is being currently applied to patients with satisfactory results.
The research has two essential parts. On the one hand, it describes the design of a new method of cell growth and, on the other, explains the clinical application of the procedure.
Growth in two stages
The research undertaken by the ophthalmologist has shown that, from a small biopsy sample, the new growth technique enables the growth of the number of stem cells thus obtained to the point of obtaining sufficient for the treatment to be effective. The cell sample is taken from the limb of the healthy eye - the ocular structure responsible for the transparency of the cornea.
The importance of this growth method lies in the fact that it enables the characterisation of the cells obtained, i.e. determining the quantity and viability of the units to be used.
The method developed combines culture on a plastic chip with that of an amniotic membrane one. The novelty of the technique focuses on the first stage - where the plastic chip is used. The fragment of tissue obtained from the healthy eye divides into smaller fractions which are grown on the chip. Thus a greater number of halos of stem cells are obtained (as many as the fragments of tissue). A sample of the cells obtained are then sent the Anatomic Pathology laboratory where the viability and quality of the cell units are verified.
The cells are transferred to the amniotic membrane growth culture, one that is highly suitable when dealing with stem cells that are to be transplanted for ocular regeneration treatment.
Once in the amniotic membrane, the stem cells expand in a homogeneous manner, enabling a better cell identification in order to select the most suitable units for the treatment. This method permits finding out with precision the cell population that we are implanting in the eye and to verify, thereby, both the quality and quantity of the cells transplanted.
Clínical application
The second part of the research involved the clinical application of the adult stem cells transplant in rabbits, which previously have had an epithelial corneal lesion induced, causing loss of corneal transparency. This is a pathology that does not respond to a corneal transplant nor to other conventional treatment.
The procedure used by Dr Fernández Hortelano involved obtaining this type of cell - corneal stem cells - by means of a biopsy of cells from a healthy eye of the rabbit. This is a small sample of cells - 3 by 4 mm - and so the contrateral eye is not in danger. A tiny number of cells thus being involved, it is necessary to grow the samples in order to obtain greater numbers of cells, an expansion achieved by transferring the culture to the amniotic membrane.
The adult stem cells obtained are implanted in the damaged eye and the limb is regenerated, this leading to the recovery of the corneal epithelium and, thereby, the transparency of the cornea. The results to date achieved amongst the group of rabbits, with induced limbic insufficiency and which then had a transplant of adult stem cells, showed recovery of the corneal epithelium in 60% of the treated animals. The corneal epithelium is the layer that is damaged with limbic insufficiency, a problem which, in the long term, results in opacity of the cornea.
Elhuyar Fundazioa
Growth in two stages
The research undertaken by the ophthalmologist has shown that, from a small biopsy sample, the new growth technique enables the growth of the number of stem cells thus obtained to the point of obtaining sufficient for the treatment to be effective. The cell sample is taken from the limb of the healthy eye - the ocular structure responsible for the transparency of the cornea.
The importance of this growth method lies in the fact that it enables the characterisation of the cells obtained, i.e. determining the quantity and viability of the units to be used.
The method developed combines culture on a plastic chip with that of an amniotic membrane one. The novelty of the technique focuses on the first stage - where the plastic chip is used. The fragment of tissue obtained from the healthy eye divides into smaller fractions which are grown on the chip. Thus a greater number of halos of stem cells are obtained (as many as the fragments of tissue). A sample of the cells obtained are then sent the Anatomic Pathology laboratory where the viability and quality of the cell units are verified.
The cells are transferred to the amniotic membrane growth culture, one that is highly suitable when dealing with stem cells that are to be transplanted for ocular regeneration treatment.
Once in the amniotic membrane, the stem cells expand in a homogeneous manner, enabling a better cell identification in order to select the most suitable units for the treatment. This method permits finding out with precision the cell population that we are implanting in the eye and to verify, thereby, both the quality and quantity of the cells transplanted.
Clínical application
The second part of the research involved the clinical application of the adult stem cells transplant in rabbits, which previously have had an epithelial corneal lesion induced, causing loss of corneal transparency. This is a pathology that does not respond to a corneal transplant nor to other conventional treatment.
The procedure used by Dr Fernández Hortelano involved obtaining this type of cell - corneal stem cells - by means of a biopsy of cells from a healthy eye of the rabbit. This is a small sample of cells - 3 by 4 mm - and so the contrateral eye is not in danger. A tiny number of cells thus being involved, it is necessary to grow the samples in order to obtain greater numbers of cells, an expansion achieved by transferring the culture to the amniotic membrane.
The adult stem cells obtained are implanted in the damaged eye and the limb is regenerated, this leading to the recovery of the corneal epithelium and, thereby, the transparency of the cornea. The results to date achieved amongst the group of rabbits, with induced limbic insufficiency and which then had a transplant of adult stem cells, showed recovery of the corneal epithelium in 60% of the treated animals. The corneal epithelium is the layer that is damaged with limbic insufficiency, a problem which, in the long term, results in opacity of the cornea.
Elhuyar Fundazioa
Stem Cells Current Events and Stem Cells News RSSGene 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.
The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine may also be detrimental for health
The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine is not always beneficial for human health, it may even be harmful according to a work done by the University of Granada and University of León. Scientists have demonstrated that transplantation of human mononuclear cells isolated from umbilical cord blood exerted a deleterious effect in rats with liver cirrhosis.
Penn Study Provides First Clear Idea of How Rare Bone Disease Progresses
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is taking the first step in developing a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), in which the body's skeletal muscles and soft connective tissue turns to bone, immobilizing patients over a lifetime with a second skeleton.
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