Two different research groups, three different places on the globe, two different approaches- one goal: The conversion of existing cells into pluripotent stem cells that can regenerate a kidney. These two breakthrough articles were published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
One group was headed by Dr. Sharon Ricardo, with 8 other researchers from Monash University and CSIRO (Clayton, Australia). The other group was under the supervision of Dr. Miguel Esteban (Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Dr. Regina Grillari (Evercyte, Vienna, Austria) with 18 researchers from China and Austria.
Dr. Ricardo’s group plucked cells from the subject’s kidney and via manipulation converted them to pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). These cells then could be converted to other cell types that exist in the kidney. Specifically, the researchers employed retroviral transduction (along with OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-Myc factors) to covert mesangial cells (smooth muscle cells that surround the kidney blood vessels).
These first steps demonstrated that the iPSC cells matched human embryonic stem cells in morphology and gene expression through differentiation and formed embyoid bodies, and expressed markers for all three germ layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm) that exemplify embryos.
Dr. Esteban and Grillari’s group used a completely different approach. They collected cells from a subject’s urine for conversion. Interestingly, these conversions could occur in a clinic or from cells frozen and then thawed prior to manipulation. This means a simple, reproducible and non-invasive process exists to form iPSCs from renal tubular cells excreted in urine. These cells were capable of differentiation after conversion to iPSC.
(As an aside, this concept- collecting materials from urine and using the metabolites and other components to treat diseases- has been around a long time. In the late 1970’s, we considered collected urine from portable toilets (where there would be a great deal of urine, for such purposes. The technology wasn’t there yet…)
Both these techniques – or either- mean that there is tremendous hope to restore damaged kidneys to viable use. These techniques also afford avenues for studying the causes of kidney diseases (and therefore preventing them) and for drug screening (to determine whether they have use in treating kidney diseases).
As an aside, Evercyte may be one company to watch. Drs. Grillari (husband and wife team) along with Otto Kanzler (CEO) plan to continue their efforts in producing cells for evaluation and development of novel therapies.
There is a big difference between the Diabetic children and adults in Diabetic types, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, treatment and so on. So we should treat the two kinds of Diabetes equally.
Nice to meet you, Colleen.
Yes, there are differences in diabetes types. And,they do require different treatments. However, the regeneration/replacement of damaged kidneys is not a function of the underlying cause. Obviously, if one were to replace the kidney, the treatment of diabetes- if that is what led to the kidney failure in the first place- will be a manifest consideration to insure the replacements continued viability.
Thanks for your comments. They make one consider ramifications.
Roy
Imagine that you are a mother and you just gave birth. You can make a very important decision that can affect the lives and health of many people. The placenta (afterbirth) that was the uterine home of your living, loving newborn is no longer needed by your baby. However, the stem cells it contains are valuable to people who are receiving placental stem cell treatments.
Stem cells are the human building blocks of the blood. They generate new blood cells in the human body. Stem cells are unique in that they have the potential to develop into many types of cells in the body. These cells are in the very early stages of development and so can turn into specialized cells such as those in the organs and nerves. Stem cell research allows scientists to find new ways to utilize these cells to repair damaged organs in the body.
Clap, clap, clap.
That’s all I can add to your statements, Colleen.
The much publicized stem cell research debate focusing on moral arguments is off target with the goal of real progress in the direction of human physiological benefits potential. No matter what side of this issue you come down on, practical considerations ultimately trump this emotionally clouded subject. Stem cells are a valuable renewing asset of human physiology and thus are deserving of our intense interest, but passionate disagreement about research and cloning issues miss the mark of discovering just how simply we can use what we already know about stem cells and how we can benefit from that knowledge to improve the health of everyone.
Touche, Joan.
Thanks for your eloquent addition to the discussion.
Roy
Umbilical cord blood from newborn babies can be used to produce embryonic-like cells that can potentially treat diseases and debilitating conditions.
Great addition, Sara.
Thanks for filling in the blanks.
Roy
Stem cells are cells that can be used for research and treatment of many diseases. In the past most stem cells were obtained from embryos, causing a great deal of controversy. However, new research shows that stem cells from the umbilical cord are a viable alternative. Collecting cord blood stem cells is done immediately following the birth.
Stem cells are available from different sources, Mary Jo. Those that are obtained from embryos- or actually earlier in the process- when compared to stem cells obtained from those that originate from the skin- have more capability. They seem to be more viable, more adept at becoming different types of cells, etc. Those that are obtained from cord blood seem to be more adept than those from skin stem cells or from cells that are transformed to be stem cells. Yet, they do come from later in the developmental scheme of things. The adapatability and viabilty may be sufficient for our desired actions; that remains to be determined completely.
Roy
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Thank you so much, Patrick. Hope you find the other posts of interest, too!
Roy