Embryonic-like Stem Cells in Bone Marrow

Embryonic-like Stem Cells in Bone Marrow

Researchers at the University of Louisville announced yesterday that they have found a counterpart for embryonic stem cells in bone marrow. Known as very “small embryonic-like" or VSELs, they have been shown to repair damaged tissue in mice who had had a stroke. The researchers were able to change the cells in culture into cardiac muscle cells, pancreatic cells, nerve cells and brain cells. The next step is to see if human VSELs can also be successfully cultured and differentiated. The story appeared in the Louisville, Courier-Journal and has been picked up (sometimes abridged) by many other media.

Scientists generally agree that this is very promising, but is only a first step. One researcher was quoted as saying, “Place your bets on all forms of research right now. It's too soon to say that adult stem cells can do what embryonic cells do.”

The Courier-Journal ran a companion piece with various ethicists discussing whether or not this study puts an end to embryonic stem cell research (probably not in the immediate future, as far as I can see from the comments).

This is exciting news; I’m not prepared to draw any conclusions yet when there has only been an animal model. Let’s see if this works in people too. (How hard is it to derive them? What are immune system issues?)

Way to Increase Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

Way to Increase Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

A drug that is being used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes boosts the ability of stem cells to rebuild the blood system in mice. Use of this drug would allow umbilical cord stem cells to be used instead of bone marrow transplants in cancer treatments, according to the London (Canada) Free Press. Cord blood stem cells are so few in number that they are often not a viable option for cancer patients who need to have their blood stem cells replenished after receiving damaging chemotherapy. The drug in this study tripled the regenerative ability of the stem cells.

Story About Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

Story About Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel ran a story which was picked up Sunday by the Grand Forks Herald about umbilical cord stem cells. I’m short on time right now and there’s lots of other news so I’m going to blog this one quickly.

The story starts by describing a girl with an immune system disorder who received a transplant of umbilical cord blood when she was born and is now a healthy two year old. The article then gives some basic information about umbilical cord stem cells, including the interesting fact that there have been less than 700 transplants since 2001. According to the article,

A recent report by the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine said stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood could provide treatment for about 11,700 people each year in this country, but 100,000 more such donations from parents of newborns are needed to build an adequate national supply.

The article goes on to briefly summarize the umbilical cord stem cells potential and why researchers still want to pursue embryonic stem cell research, and also tells some of the additional risky procedures the girl had to go through. Another example in the article is a boy who received umbilical cord stem cells as part of a clinical trial for the fatal Hurler’s Disease.