Translate

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Reprogramming Leprosy


Investigating the mechanisms of spread of leprosy (leprosy) in the body, scientists have noticed that its agents - bacteria Mycobacterium lepta - can exchange mature cells into stem cells (which can develop into different cell types).

Researchers have identified lemmotsity mice and infected them with agents of leprosy. 

Bacteria "reprogrammed" cells by revolving off genes associated with the mature state of Schwann cells, and the activation of genes involved in the regulation of embryonic development and the state.

Healthy lemmotsity able to go into an immature state, and then change into other types of cells to help repair damaged nerve tissue. Mycobacterium lepta have paid the property in its favor, "reprogrammed" Schwann cells are able to migrate through the body and pass the "saddle" of bacteria. Once infected cells reach, such as skeletal muscle, they are adjacent to the cells of this tissue, spreading infection.

Separating proteins chemokines , infected stem cells attract immune cells, which may also end up as a vehicle for pathogens leprosy.

The mechanism of "reprogramming" of cells by bacteria is not yet clear, but the experiment will discover how leprosy spread from end to end the body. Perhaps this knowledge will help to stop the disease in its early stages. Also, scientists hope to use bacteria to convert adult cells into stem cells in the laboratory to search for regenerative therapies for diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

No comments: