|
ESC Congress 2004: Converting cells into heart muscle
August 30, 2004Bone marrow derived stem cells can give rise to heart muscle cells. This plasticity concept - the ability of bone marrow cell to transdifferentiate into heart muscle cell - is supported by experimental and clinical data. Another possibility is to replace the missing function by causing transdifferentiation of existing cells. Transdifferentiation means converting one sort of cell, e.g. fibroblast, into another, e.g. muscle cell. There is real hope that we may be able to control this unique phenomenon to produce many heart cells to create a new heart muscle based on cells harvested from the patient himself.
These plasticity concepts have challenged the traditional dogma of tissue specific stem cell differentiation in adults and have raised hot debate. Many scientists have suggested alternative interpretations for plasticity research findings. Furthermore, recently, the debate regarding bone marrow and other adult stem cell plasticity has moved into the political and public zone. Opponents of human embryonic stem cell research see the plasticity of adult cells as a means of avoiding the use of human blastocysts (embryos a few days old) that is required to obtain pluripotent embryonic stem cells.
Despite the plasticity controversy and our limited understanding of stem cell plasticity, we hope that if we can control this process we may be able to use adult cells to produce new heart tissue for transplant and heart repair.
J Leor (TEl Hashomer, IL)
*****
This press release accompanies both a presentation and an ESC press conference given at the ESC Congress 2004. Written by the investigator himself/herself, this press release does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology
European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
J Leor (TEl Hashomer, IL)
*****
This press release accompanies both a presentation and an ESC press conference given at the ESC Congress 2004. Written by the investigator himself/herself, this press release does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology
European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Bone Marrow News and Current Bone Marrow Events RSSResearchers grow human blood vessels in mice from adult progenitor cells
For the first time, researchers have successfully grown functional human blood vessels in mice using cells from adult human donors - an important step in developing clinical strategies to grow tissue, researchers report in Circulation Research: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Stem cell chicken and egg debate moves to unlikely arena: the testes
Logic says it has to be the niche. As air and water preceded life, so the niche, that hospitable environment that shelters adult stem cells in many tissues and provides factors necessary to keep them young and vital, must have emerged before its stem cell dependents.
Scripps research scientists reveal key structure from ebola virus
Described in the July 10, 2008 issue of the journal Nature, the research reveals the shape of the Ebola virus spike protein, which is necessary for viral entry into human cells, bound to an immune system antibody acting to neutralize the virus.
News from Cancer: Risk factors for deadly form of lymphoma
A new study indicates that the incidence of mantle cell lymphoma, an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is on the rise, most frequently striking men, Caucasians and older individuals.
Small protein may have big role in making more bone and less fat
A small protein may have a big role in helping you make more bone and less fat, researchers say.
Predicting the risk of a common fungal infection after stem cell transplantation
In silico genetic analysis in mice has led to the discovery of a gene affecting susceptibility to a severe fungal infection in transplant recipients.
Ability to track stem cells in tumors could advance cancer treatments
Using noninvasive molecular imaging technology, a method has been developed to track the location and activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the tumors of living organisms.
Immune molecule that plays a powerful role in avoiding organ rejection identified
When a mouse's immune system is deciding whether to reject a skin graft, one powerful member of a molecular family designed to provoke such a response can effectively reduce the visibility of the mouse's own cells and help the graft survive, researchers say.
'HiCy' drug regimen reverses ms symptoms in selected patients
A short-term, very-high dose regimen of the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide seems to slow progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most of a small group of patients studied and may even restore neurological function lost to the disease, Johns Hopkins researchers report.
Clinical study shows biological and clinical activity in relapsed leukemia patients
Finbarr Cotter, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of the Institute of Cell and Molecular Science at Barts and The London School of Medicine, today presented in an oral session "Clinical Caspase Activation in CLL by GCS-100: a Phase 2 Study" at the 10th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (10-ICML).
More Bone Marrow News Articles
 | Bone Marrow Nei Kung: Taoist Techniques for Rejuvenating the Blood and Bone by Mantak Chia |
 | Bone Marrow Pathology by Kathryn Foucar |
 | Bone Marrow Pathology by Barbara J. Bain, David M. Clark, Irvin A. Lampert, Bridget S. Wilkins |
 | Atlas of Veterinary Hematology: Blood and Bone Marrow of Domestic Animals by John W. Harvey |
 | Bone Marrow Diagnosis: An Illustrated Guide by David Brown, Kevin Gatter, Yasodha Natkunam, Roger Warnke |
| BOne Marrow Nei Kung: Taoist Ways to Improve Your Health by Rejuvenating Your Bone Marrow and Blood by Mantak Chia, Maneewan Chia | |
 | Face Down In The Marrow-Bone Pie |
 | Surviving Leukemia: A Practical Guide (Your Personal Health) by Robert Patenaude |
 | 100 Questions & Answers About Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation by Ewa Carrier, Gracy Ledingham |
 | Alive and Fighting: Coping with a Brain Tumor and a Bone Marrow Transplant by H. Charles Wolf |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |