Spinal Cord Injury Successfully Treated with Stem Cell Therapy
The San Diego based company Medistem has announced it has successfully treated spinal cord injury with stem cells derived from menstrual blood. This is the first known use of stem cell technology for treatment of spinal cord injury. The technique and the results of the treatment were issued in peer-reviewed publication International Archives of International Medicine.
The 29 years old patient who received stem cell therapy suffered severe spinal cord injury in a plane crash. The injury has caused walking inability, sexual disfunction and constant pain. The patient received stem cell therapy from an adult donor about 6 months after the injury in November 2008, and then two more therapies in January 2009 and July 2009. He experienced gradual improvement of symptoms with each therapy and today, he is able to walk, recovered his sexual function and has less pain than before the treatment.
The results of the treatment are encouraging but the Chairman and President of Medistem, Dr. Bogin emphasizes that it is too early to make any conclusions although everyone in the company are very excited about the dramatic improvement the patient has experienced after receiving stem cell therapy. Vice President, Dr. Sablin has said that they wish to start clinical trials in 2011 in order to gain the necessary data for the FDA to approve their therapy which bases on use of stem cells from menstrual blood.
In addition to successful treatment of spinal cord injury, the company has also published encouraging results in patients with multiple sclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and even heart failure after receiving stem cell therapy. Vice President and Board Member of Medistem, Mr. Zaharchook who said that the company is searching for a strategic partner also stated that they remain focused on treatment limb ischemia although they do not exclude the use of stem cells obtained from menstrual blood for other health problems.
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The case with the so-called Berlin patient, an HIV positive man with leukemia who has been cured of HIV infection after receiving a bone marrow transplant was first revealed at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infection in Boston in 2008. More extensive report on the case was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in early 2009, while the newly published results of follow-up tests have shown that the Berlin patient has been cured of HIV infection with stem cell therapy.
The Berlin patient who has later revealed his identity has received stem cells from a donor with a rare genetic mutation which reduces the risk of HIV and is estimated to be present in about 1% of northern and western Europeans. Before the stem cell therapy, the Berlin patient went through chemotherapy and radiation therapy in oder to destroy the immune system cells. He was also given immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection of transplanted stem cells. Antiretroviral therapy which is used for treatment of HIV has been halted after the patient has received the bone marrow transplant.
The case has attracted a lot of attention worldwide and many scientists started to investigate the use of stem cell therapy for treatment of HIV in other patients. So far, they have found two possible solutions – a transplant from a donor who is immune to HIV or engineering of HIV-resistant stem cells. The first option would require great efforts to find individuals with rare genetic mutation that makes them immune to HIV, while the development of a technique for engineering HIV-resistant stem cells may take years. In addition, both treatments will most likely be very expensive if they prove to be effective and will probably be reserved for patients without other treatment options at least in the initial period.
Testes Stem Cells Might Cure Type 1 Diabetes in Men
The researchers at the Georgetown University Medical Center have announced to present the results of their study which implies that testes stem cells could cure Type 1 diabetes in men. They will present their study at the American Society of Cell Biology 50th annual meeting that will be held in Philadelphia on December 12, 2010.
Type 1 diabetes is known as an incurable disease because the immune system destroys the pancreas cells that produce the hormone insulin which is why the body is unable to process glucose. G. Ian Gallicano from the Georgetown University Medical Center has stated that he and his team managed to lower blood sugar levels in mice by using testes stem cells.
Many different methods have been tried to cure Type 1 diabetes including stem cells. According to the National Institutes of Health, the scientists have used stem cells both from embryonic and adult tissue to create pancreas cells that produce insulin. However, stem cells derived from embryos remain a controversial topic because they require destruction of an embryo. Stem cells from adult tissue have potential to differentiate as well but not as high as embryonic cells. In addition, a method that enabled differentiation of adult stem cells into pancreas cells producing insulin has been shown to cause cancer.
The researchers at the Georgetown University Medical Center discovered that testes stem cells produce less cancer if using the same method that has been shown problematic in adult stem cells. Due to the fact that the new pancreas cells producing insulin originate from the patient’s own body there is no risk of the immune system perceiving them as harmful invaders but it remains unknown whether the immune system will destroy them because they act like pancreas cells that produce insulin. Gallicano also emphasized that his team still needs to determine the amount of insulin that needs to be produced by the cells to be able to cure Type 1 diabetes in men.
Scientist Created Mice with Two Fathers
Scientists under leadership of Richard R. Behringer at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, revealed that they have created male and female mice with two fathers by using stem cells. Their study was published in the journal Biology of Reproduction on December 8, 2010.
Dr. Behtringer and his team created iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) by manipulation of male mouse fetus fibroblasts. A small percentage of these iPS cells then lost the Y chromosome and turned into XO cells which were inserted into a donor female mice blastocysts. These blastocysts were then implanted into surrogate mice giving birth to female chimeras with one X chromosome from the male mouse fetus fibroblasts. After being mated with a normal male mice, these female chimeras gave birth to male and female mice with genetic traits of two fathers.
The study of Dr. Behringer and his team has shown that iPS cells can be used to create genetic traits of two fathers without the need of outcrossing the females. Their method could be very useful in agriculture to improve livestock genetic breeding. The authors of the study also believe that one male can produce both the eggs and semen required for self-fertilization which could help preserve endangered species. Even more, the scientist suggests that the method they have used could be possibly used in humans, which if combined with in vitro fertilization would not require a female chimera.
This means that iPS cells may enable the same-sex couples to have children although male couples would still need a surrogate mother. The team also speculates that a variation of the method they have used could produce offspring with two mothers as well. However, the scientists have emphasized that their method requires further studies and tests before it will be possible to create human iPS cells.
Scientists made Human Blood Cells from Human Skin Cells
The Canadian scientists revealed that they managed to develop human blood cells from human skin cells in the journal Nature on November 7, 2010. The research that was conducted at the McMaster University by Mick Bhatia who is scientific director of the McMaster’s Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and his team has demonstrated that it is possible to create human blood cells from human skin cells directly.
So far, scientists believed that conversion of human skin cells into human blood cells requires a middle stage or development of stem cells that are pluripotent and have the ability to make any cell types including blood cells. However, Dr. Bhatia and his team have clearly shown that the development of pluripotent stem cells is not necessary and that human blood cells can be obtained directly from the human skin cells. Even more, Dr. Bhatia has even said that the process they used can be further improved. He also stated that they will also try to develop other cell types from skin cells directly.
The exciting discovery of Dr. Bhatia and his team was repeated more times over two years. They used skin cells acquired from both young and old people and demonstrated that the process of direct conversion of human skin cells into human blood cells works in all age groups. The first clinical trials will possibly start already in 2012.
If the clinical trials will confirm both safety and efficiency of direct conversion of human skin cells into human blood cells it could theoretically mean the end of blood transfusions needed for surgery and treatment of a large number of medical conditions such as anemia and cancer because the required blood will be made from the patient’s own skin cells.
Stem Cells Transplantation leads to Muscle Enhancement
Mice that received transplantation of stem cells in their limb muscles have been shown to withstand the loss of both muscle mass and function due to the aging process. The research on mice that has been conducted at the University of Colorado at Boulder shows promising results for future treatments of chronic and progressing diseases involving the muscles in humans.
The research team led by Prof. Bradley Olwin has discovered that young mice with injured muscles that received stem cells from other young mice recovered from the injury within few days. In addition, the muscle that was treated increased in mass and surprisingly, maintained itself even when the mice got older. This means that the stem cells that are transplanted behave differently and stop the aging process in the muscle by preserving it mass and strength. Despite dramatic increase in both mass and size the researchers have not noticed any tumor growths which is very encouraging though they also did not transplant stem cells from young mice into old mice.
The findings of Olwin’s team is very exciting but the professor said that results of their study are only the beginning of potential use of stem cells in humans to help prevent loss of muscle strength and mass which is a normal part of the aging process and which accompanies certain chronic medical conditions.
The researchers also make an experiment in which they transplanted stem cells into healthy muscles but did not discovered any significant benefits concerning strength and mass of the muscle. Olwin and his team believe that the environment in which the stem cells are transplanted to plays a major role in their response. They also believe that the environment sends the cells the signals of an injury.
Olwin announced that they will make the same experiment with human or large animal stem cells which will be transplanted into mice to see if the results will be the same as in their mice-to-mice stem cell transplantation.
Skin Cells Converted into Blood Cells
The researchers at the McMaster University led by Mick Bhatia have managed to convert skin cells into blood cells without the pluripotent phase. This means that the blood that is needed for surgery and treatments of virtually any medical condition requiring blood transfusion including anemia and cancer could be created from the patients’ own skin. The discovery has also encouraged the team to try create other cell types from skin cells.
According to hematologist at the McMaster University John Kelton the Dr. Bhatia’s discovery could significantly improve the prognosis for cancer patients, especially those who need transplantation of bone marrow. Kelton said that the achievement of Dr. Bhatia and his team could eliminate the need for transplantation of bone marrow and save many lives when a donor match cannot been find.
Cynthia Dunbar from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the US National Institutes of Health said that she is very excited about the success of Dr. Bhatia and his team. She stated that direct conversion of skin cells into blood cells is a major step forward in production of multipotent blood cells and their use in regenerative medicine and research of blood diseases and disorders.
Dr. Bhatia team’s repeated the process a number of times over two years. The researchers used skin cells obtained from both young and old people. Their method of direct conversion of skin cells into blood cells was successful in all age groups. However, Dr. Bhatia stated that he believes that they can even improve their method. He also said that they will try to develop other types of cells without pluripotent phase. The Canadian researchers estimate that the first clinical trials which will show safety and efficacy of their method could start already in 2012.
Effects of Nutrient Availability on Stem Cells
A better understanding of stem cell behavior under normal conditions as well as under stress is crucial for understanding their response to metabolic stress and wound healing as well as their role and use in regenerative medicine. A study that was conducted by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (published in Current Biology on November 4, 2010) has shown that stem cells have the ability to sense changes in nutrient availability. When sensing a nutrient deficiency, they respond by reducing the total stem cell number. However, when the nutrient availability returns to normal they tend to multiply quickly.
The researchers led by Leanne Jones, Ph. D., assistant professor in the Laboratory of Genetics have noticed the above mentioned response of stem cells on nutrient availability by studying the fruit flies. When they feed them with a poor diet the number of stem cells in starved flies started to decline. However, when they gave the fruit flies a nutritious diet the stem cells recovered very quickly to the normal state and number. The researchers also discovered that stem cells in starved flies divided at a slower pace than normally. In addition, a certain amount of active stem cells has managed to retain themselves despite prolonged period of starvation.
The study concerning response of stem cells to nutrient availability suggests that they most likely try to protect germline stem cells that pass genetic information to next stem cell generations. The researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies also think that stem cells may respond similarly to other types of metabolic alternations. This may also help understand the link between overfeeding/malnutrition and some metabolic diseases including cancers which are caused by abnormalities in cell division. The study also arises a question whether dietary changes could be an integral part of treatment.
Benefits of Vibration for Bone Strength
The findings of the study that was conducted by researchers at the Medical College of Georgia Schools of Graduate Studies and Medicine suggest that a daily vibration session may help prevent loss of bone density which is the leading cause of disability and death among the older adults. The researchers led by Dr. Karl H. Wenger have discovered that a daily vibrating session of 30 minutes in an 18-month old mice which corresponds to 55 to 65 years in humans seems to inhibit the expected bone density loss. They also found that vibration results in higher bone density near the hip joint as well as femur (thigh bone).
The vibration technique to improve bone strength was proposed already in the 19th century but the findings of Dr. Wegner and his colleagues provide more scientific evidence for the 19th century technique. Scientist believe that vibrating similar to a vibrating cell phone on a larger scale could stimulate the cells to work better. Vibration is also believed to act on stem cells that are responsible for healing processes by slowing their proliferation. This may seem counterproductive but on the other hand, a larger number of stem cells may differentiate in bone cells instead of producing generic cells. In order to determine whether their findings also apply to trauma they are evaluating the effects of vibrating on lower limb fractures. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that a subtle vibrating two weeks after injury helps relieve pain rather than worsening it.
Studies involving postmenopausal women with bone density loss have shown results similar to those in Wegner’s mice. One human study has not shown any increase of bone density in women receiving daily vibration sessions, however, they did not show further bone density loss either.
Several human studies have also shown that vibration helps improve muscle strength and promotes weight loss.
Human-Animal Hybrid Stem Cell Controversy
Over the past few years the medical research industry has been locked in constant debate over the creations of “chimeras”, or human-animal hybrids, being created for the purpose of medical research and scientific developments. Proponents of utilizing genetic hybrids of both humans and animals feel that this is an effective way to study many aspects of human physiology and develop alternative cellular sources for stem cell research and treatment, while many opponents feel that it is a direct violation of nature and poses many risks that cannot be foreseen and should not be tampered with.
A chimera, named so because of the ancient Greek mythological creature, is a genetic hybrid in some way blending both human and animal parts to create a new creature. In many ways this has been going on for years with humans receiving heart valve transplants from pigs or cows, enabling them to repair faulty valves of their own that may have been damaged over time. The recent controversy, however, comes not from a surgical combining of two separate organisms but by combining human DNA at a cellular level with animal DNA in order to create a hybrid mixture of the two forms.
Already as of 2003 Chinese scientists in Shanghai have successfully blended human cells with rabbit eggs that were destroyed before birth to study developmental processes. In the US as well many reports of blending human brain cells with mice to generate hybrids with anywhere from 1% to nearly all of their brain is composed of human brain cells have also been created in the hopes of studying brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
In regards to stem cell research the successful blending of human cells with animal embryos could potentially create cellular lines that would allow individuals to receive stem cell treatments for various illnesses without endangering human lives – even being able to harvest valuable embryonic stem cells without threatening a developing fetus. Controversy over this, however, lies in establishing a definitive outline of just when a cellular organism is considered “human”, what rights chimeras may have (if any) and what legal and ethical grounds can be considered appropriate for handling such research both now and in the future.
Currently research into developing and utilizing chimeras is outlawed in many countries including Canada with legislation expected in many other regions as well, however at this time ongoing research conducted in a number of locations is proving promising for many hoping to utilize human-animal hybrids for stem cell lines and other treatments in the coming years.