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Bone marrow stem cell co-transplantation prevents embryonic stem cell transplant-associated tumors
May 12, 2009Transplanted embryonic stem cells are recognized as a potential treatment for patients suffering from the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, in studies using embryonic stem cells transplanted into SCI laboratory animals, a serious drawback has been the development of tumors following transplantation.
Publishing in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (Vol. 18 No.1), a team of Japanese researchers describe their study that demonstrates a way to eliminate the problem of tumor growth by co-transplanting bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) along with embryonic stem cells.
"Our study results suggest that co-transplanting BMSCs induce undifferentiated embryonic stem cells to differentiate into a neuronal lineage by neurotrophic factor production, resulting in suppression of tumor formation in SCI model mice," said corresponding author Dr. Masahide Yoshikawa of the Nara Medical University. "The known multipotency of BMSCs during differentiation and their known ability to produce neurotrophic factors, such as nerve growth factor, led us to speculate that co-transplantation of ES cells and BMSCs would provide an advantage over transplantation of ES cells alone."
A control group of mice that only received ES cells developed tumors at the grafted site and their behavioral improvement ceased after three weeks. No tumors developed in the co-transplantation group and behavioral improvement continued over the five-week study.
To date, no effective medical therapy has been available for SCI patients. While ES cells have been thought to represent a potential resource for therapy, the hurdle of tumor formation has impeded efforts. Co-transplantation of BMSCs appears to overcome the tumor hurdle, suggesting to the researchers that their success can provide a path toward human trials.
"The entire mechanism of suppressed tumor development following co-transplantation remains to be elucidated," says Dr. Yoshikawa. "We considered that the BMSCs played an important role in preventing tumors and speculate that one of the mechanisms by which BMSCs promote the differentiation of ES cells is related to secreted soluble factors, including neurotrophic factors."
According to Dr. Yoshikawa, the transplanted BMSCs survived in the grafted site for at least five weeks after transplantation and maintained their ability to produce NGF.
"These findings are extremely important and emphasize the need for additional study on how embryonic stem cells may be used to treat human neurological problems in the not too distant future," commented Section Editor Dr. John Sladek, professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair
A control group of mice that only received ES cells developed tumors at the grafted site and their behavioral improvement ceased after three weeks. No tumors developed in the co-transplantation group and behavioral improvement continued over the five-week study.
To date, no effective medical therapy has been available for SCI patients. While ES cells have been thought to represent a potential resource for therapy, the hurdle of tumor formation has impeded efforts. Co-transplantation of BMSCs appears to overcome the tumor hurdle, suggesting to the researchers that their success can provide a path toward human trials.
"The entire mechanism of suppressed tumor development following co-transplantation remains to be elucidated," says Dr. Yoshikawa. "We considered that the BMSCs played an important role in preventing tumors and speculate that one of the mechanisms by which BMSCs promote the differentiation of ES cells is related to secreted soluble factors, including neurotrophic factors."
According to Dr. Yoshikawa, the transplanted BMSCs survived in the grafted site for at least five weeks after transplantation and maintained their ability to produce NGF.
"These findings are extremely important and emphasize the need for additional study on how embryonic stem cells may be used to treat human neurological problems in the not too distant future," commented Section Editor Dr. John Sladek, professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair
Embryonic Stem Cells Current Events and Embryonic Stem Cells News RSSOf mice and men: Stem cells and ethical uncertainties
The recent creation of live mice from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) not only represents a remarkable scientific achievement, but also raises important issues, according to bioethicists at The Johns Hopkins University's Berman Institute of Bioethics.
NIH-funded researchers transform embryonic stem cells into human germ cells
Researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have discovered how to transform human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately give rise to sperm and eggs.
Placental precursor stem cells require testosterone-free environment to survive
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), cells found in the layer of peripheral embryonic stem cells from which the placenta is formed, are thought to exhibit "immune privilege" that aids cell survivability and is potentially beneficial for cell and gene therapies.
Endocrine Society calls for expanded scope and funding for stem cell research
Stem cell research holds great promise for the treatment of millions of Americans with debilitating and possibly fatal diseases.
Small mechanical forces have big impact on embryonic stem cells
Applying a small mechanical force to embryonic stem cells could be a new way of coaxing them into a specific direction of differentiation, researchers at the University of Illinois report. Applications for force-directed cell differentiation include therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine.
Fate Therapeutics announces creation of small molecule platform for commercial-scale reprogramming
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced today the generation of human induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using a combination of small molecules that significantly improves the speed and efficiency of reprogramming.
A major step in making better stem cells from adult tissue
October 15, 2009 A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has developed a method that dramatically improves the efficiency of creating stem cells from human adult tissue, without the use of embryonic cells.
New strategy for mending broken hearts?
By mimicking the way embryonic stem cells develop into heart muscle in a lab, Duke University bioengineers believe they have taken an important first step toward growing a living "heart patch" to repair heart tissue damaged by disease.
Liver cells grown from patients' skin cells
Scientists at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have successfully produced liver cells from patients' skin cells opening the possibility of treating a wide range of diseases that affect liver function.
Major improvements made in engineering heart repair patches from stem cells
University of Washington (UW) researchers have succeeded in engineering human tissue patches free of some problems that have stymied stem-cell repair for damaged hearts.
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