Stem cells made to mimic disease
April 8, 2008
The use of embyronic stem cells is highly controversial
Scientists have taken skin cells from patients with eight different
diseases and turned them into stem cells.
The advance means scientists are moving closer to using stem cells
from the patient themselves to treat disease.
This would mean they could circumvent the ethical and practical
problems of using embryonic stem cells, which has sparked much
opposition.
Researcher Dr Willy Lensch, of Harvard Medical School, said the
technique had "incredible potential".
He said it could help scientists understand the earliest stages of
human genetic disease. We're looking at the perfect human brick -
ethical, flexible and not rejected by the patient because it comes
from the patient themselves
Dr Chris Mason
UK National Stem Cell Network
The stem cells were created by taking biopsies from patients with
diseases such as Huntington's and muscular dystrophy.
However, scientists admit that many risks remain and therapies could
still be well over a decade away.
Induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells are adult stem cells which are
made to act like embryonic ones - they gain the ability to become any
cell in the human body.
But crucially, scientists do not have to destroy embryos to create a
supply.
In principle, they could be used to treat a wide range of disorders,
from diabetes to Parkinson's.
Rather than managing the symptoms of the disease, they would be used
to regenerate the affected parts of the body.
"We're looking at the perfect human brick," said Dr Chris Mason, of
the UK National Stem Cell Network.
"Ethical, flexible and not rejected by the patient because it comes
from the patient themselves."
However, as yet, it is not a question of eliminating the use of
embryonic stem cells - as some demand - but significantly expanding
the existing "tool box".
Heart cells
In the UK, researchers in Nottingham are currently using IPS to
examine heart conditions.
By taking skin cells from diseased patients, returning them to their
embryonic form before redirecting them to becoming heart cells, a
greater understanding of how heart disease develops can be gained,
said Dr Chris Denning, of the University of Nottingham.
They can also be used to test drugs - potentially paving the way for
more effective treatments.
But the actual transplantation of cells remains a long way off, as
scientists have not yet been able to create the volumes needed.
There are also risks involved in any therapy. At present the stem
cells need to be genetically modified in order to activate them.
But inserting genes can be dangerous, as they can inadvertently
switch on cancer-causing oncogenes.
Scientists hope to reach a point in "the next few years" where no
genetic modification is needed at all.
But they warn that even when there may be risks, a "safety-crazed
society" should not stand in the way of what may be an effective
treatment for some people.
"Obviously we want to make it as safe as possible," said Dr Mason.
"But as long as we quantify the risks and patents understand them -
are able to put them in context - the choice should be there."
Dr Marita Pohlschmidt, of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said IPS
cells presented a good research tool for studying the biology of
muscle diseases.
However, she added: "For the development of therapies, it is too
early to assume that this technology will replace the use of
embryonic stem cells and it is extremely important to give scientists
the chance to explore both avenues before this decision can be made.
"This applies in particular to inherited diseases, because the
genetic defect is present in every cell of the body and therefore iPS
might only have limited benefits."
http://news.
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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