Scientists have been
able to reprogram the mature human stem cells, using only the chemical compound
(without genetic manipulation).
A new method of
obtaining cells are as versatile as embryonic stem cells, reduces the risk of
developing cancer or of mutations that can occur as a result of stem cell
therapies, "reprogrammed" with the introduction of additional genes.
Since then, in 2006, it
was announced the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells ( iPSCs ),
scientists have sought to reduce the number of additional genes required for
such cells. But it is always required at least one encoding a protein Oct-4 .
Researchers from
Beijing have studied thousands of low molecular weight compounds in the search
for the one that will be able to reprogram cells without Oct -4, but in the
presence of three other genes required for iPSC. Finding such a connection, the
researchers looked for substitutes and for the remaining three genes involved
in reprogramming. Adding DZNep - compound catalyzing reprogramming process at a
late stage - the scientists finally got the stem cells, but in very small
quantities necessary to add another compound to increase the efficiency of the
process 40 times.
As a result,
researchers, amounting to a "cocktail" of several compounds were able
to achieve transformation of stem cells in 0.2% of the initial amount - a
result comparable with the efficiency of modern methods of obtaining iPSCs. The
cells introduced into mouse embryos successfully differentiated into various
types of tissues, including liver, heart, brain, skin and muscle.
Further research in
this area may lead to new discoveries in the field of regenerative medicine -
for example, the answer to the question of how some frogs manage to re-grow
severed limbs. Scientists know that before the regeneration process starts
animal cells similar to their reprogramming into pluripotent stem.
If the method is found
to be safe, it can be used in clinical practice. It reduces the risk of
mutation and used chemical compounds are likely to be safe - four of them are
already used in medicine. Small molecules can pass through cell membranes, so
they can "wash away" after they start the process of reprogramming.
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