What is Stem Cell: [StemCells] hES for liver research

Advanced Cell Technology Demonstrates Efficient Generation Of
Functional Hepatocytes (Liver Cells) From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 25 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PST

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Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (OTCBB: ACTC) reported for the first
time a robust and highly efficient process for the generation of high-
purity hepatocytes (liver cells). The research, described online
(ahead of print) in the journal STEM CELLS, signifies a significant
step towards the efficient generation of hepatocytes for use in
regenerative medicine and drug discovery. Moreover, the research
represents another one of Advanced Cell Technology's efforts aimed at
the large-scale differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)
into critical replacement cell types. In addition to demonstrating
the efficient generation of hepatocytes in research published today,
the company has made significant progress in the generation of
retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells to treat retinal
degenerative diseases and the generation of hemangioblasts to treat
vascular disease as well as to create a large-scale and donorless
source of red blood cells and platelets.

Two hallmarks of embryonic stem cells, their versatility and capacity
for unlimited self renewal, suggest the cells could serve as a
potentially inexhaustible source of cells for replacement therapy. As
with other tissues, there is a scarcity of donor livers and
hepatocytes, which is compounded by the low recovery and
proliferative capacity of adult hepatocytes. In addition to the
cells' potential use for the treatment of liver disease, hESC-derived
hepatocytes could also provide a valuable model for novel
pharmaceutical drug discovery assays as well as new drug metabolism
and cytotoxicity screens, particularly because the liver is a major
site for detoxification.

"We have established a highly-efficient method for deriving
hepatocytes from stem cells that mirrors events in embryonic
development," said Robert Lanza, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer at
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and senior author of the study. "Large
scale production of hepatocytes using this method should greatly
bolster their applications in basic research, clinical medicine and
preclinical drug discovery."

The method reported yielded synchronous populations of hepatocytes
that were generated in clinically preferred conditions with minimum
use of serum and cell feeders. Highly enriched populations of
definitive endoderm (DE) were generated from hESCs and then induced
to differentiate along the hepatic lineage by the sequential addition
of inducing factors implicated in physiological hepatogenesis. The
differentiation process was largely uniform with cell cultures
progressively expressing increasing numbers of hepatic lineage
markers. The hepatocytes exhibited functional hepatic characteristics
such as glycogen storage, indocyanine green uptake and release, and
albumin secretion. In an animal model of acute liver injury, the hESC-
DE cells differentiated into hepatocytes and successfully repopulated
the damaged liver.

"I am delighted with the tremendous progress our scientists are
making to generate a variety of important functional cells types and
refine our cell differentiation process," stated William M. Caldwell
IV, CEO and Chairman of Advanced Cell Technology. "These cells have
the potential to benefit many Americans suffering from serious and
potentially life-threatening diseases with few if any alternatives.
We are committed to developing new methods to help translate our stem
cell technology into the clinic and are seeking partners for some of
our newest scientific advances."

Other authors on the paper were Dr. Sadhana Agawal (first author of
the study) and Katherine Holton, a senior research associate at
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.

About Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. is a biotechnology company applying
cellular technology in the emerging field of regenerative medicine.
The company operates facilities in California and Massachusetts.

For more information, visit http://www.advancedcell.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release regarding future financial and
operating results, future growth in research and development
programs, potential applications of our technology, opportunities for
the company and any other statements about the future expectations,
beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that
are not statements of historical fact (including statements
containing the
words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate
s," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-
looking statements. There are a number of important factors that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: limited
operating history, need for future capital, risks inherent in the
development and commercialization of potential products, protection
of our intellectual property, and economic conditions generally.
Additional information on potential factors that could affect our
results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to
time in the company's periodic reports, including the report on Form
10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. Forward-looking
statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and expectations of
the company's management at the time they are made, and the company
does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other
circumstances should change.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions, and
expectations of the company's management at the time they are made,
and the company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-
looking statements if those beliefs, opinions, expectations, or other
circumstances should change.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/98428.php

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