Research has proven that adults’ cells can be regenerated without the route of direct stem cell options. Michael Sieweke, who led a team at the Centre d’immunologie de Marseille Luminy has proven that this is highly plausible. The case was based on the use ex vivo to renew macrophages, which are special cells present in our immune system.
This research sheds light on how different cells function in our body. It is even possible that finding from this analysis could be applied to other types of cells apart from ‘macrophages’. It can give rise to therapeutic application for the renewal of adult cells by passing the reliance on stem cell therapy. This was published by Science, Nov 2009.
What exactly are macrophages? They are big cells, and their work is to assure that the immune process operates effectively. Their job is to eliminate microorganisms and cell debris through a process known as phagocytosis. The immune defense system permits macrophages to practically ‘consume’ foreign particles like bacteria and cell debris.
Potential regenerative medicines in the near future will have the main purpose of repairing, replacing and strengthening weak organs through the process of so called stem cells. The stem cell has the characteristic of being able to be reproduced in infinite quantity. Practically those cells can also provide the human body with all other types of cells that have been damaged over years through illnesses and deficiencies.
Moreover, here the focus is to using adult instead of embryonic cells. A reprogramming process will be devised to metamorphose these adult cells to stem cells. This process is highly complex and carries a degree of risk, this does even apply to the second phase where the ‘created stem cells’ are retransformed into adults cells again.
Based on findings derived from the research at the Centre d’immunologie de Marseille Luminy (Université Aix-Marseille 2 / CNRS / INSERM), a specific type of cell, namely macrophages are distinct from other special cells. Generally, all cells that are attached to determine functions, such as muscle cells, brain neurons and macrophages, stop to change and proliferate. They enter a stagnate state, and remain so until they cease to exist. The research proved that macrophages (necessary cells for our immune response) previously considered fixed in function could however be genetically modified to proliferate.
The research was based on macrophages of mouse found in vitro. The injection of a special substance called MafB and c-Maf, modified the cells in a normal way. There were no side effect experiences such as presences of tumor or whatsoever. The research later discovered that almost all adult cells in the body could be converted into stem cells.
This scrutiny provides a clear insight of how the cell differentiation occurs. More precisely, it provides a possibility to produce medicines that could help to amplify and convert specialized cells to any other type of cells in deficiency. This would instigate the regeneration of damaged tissues and thereby produce repair and alleviate cell degeneration.
Fri, Nov 27, 2009
Bioscience, Longevity, Stem cells