Expanded Potential Stem Cell lines of pig and human cells established
A new approach has enabled researchers to create Expanded Potential Stem Cells (EPSCs) of both pig and human cells. These stem cells have the features of the very first cells in the developing embryo, and can develop into any type of cell. The research from LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut in Germany offers incredible potential for studying human development and regenerative medicine.
The study published in Nature Cell Biology today (3rd June) is the first time scientists have been able to derive stem cells from early pig embryos. Domestic pigs have great potential for biomedical research because of their genetic and anatomical similarities to humans, including comparable organ sizes. Being able to genetically-modify pig stem cells will also be beneficial for animal health and food production.
Stem cells have the ability to develop into other cell types, and existing stem cell lines are already extremely useful for research into development, disease and treatments. However, currently available types of stem cell lines have limitations, and until now it has also not been possible to create embryonic stem cells from pigs and many other farm animals.
“Scientists have been attempting to derive porcine embryonic stem cells for decades without much success. With our Expanded Potential Stem Cell technology, we have now successfully derived and characterised stem cells from porcine preimplantation embryos. We have also established similar human stem cells. Our study represents a significant advance in stem cell research.”
Professor Pentao Liu, the leader of the study from the School of Biomedical Sciences and Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, HKUMed, and previously of the Wellcome Sanger Institute
Since human EPSCs can produce large numbers of placenta cells – called trophoblasts – they offer new opportunities to investigate pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and miscarriages.
EPSCs come from culturing cells from the earliest stage of development, when the fertilised egg has only divided into 4 or 8 cells and the cells retain some totipotency – the ability to produce all cell types.
“These EPSC stem cells possess developmental potency that is not generally seen in conventional embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells. They have the potential to produce all embryonic and extra-embryonic cell lines – including those in the placenta and yolk sac, turning back the development clock to the very earliest cell type. These cells will enable researchers to study early embryonic development, miscarriage and developmental disorders.”
Dr Xuefui Gao, a first author on the paper from HKUMed, and previously from the Wellcome Sanger Institute
The first EPSCs were created in 2017, when the group targeted key molecular pathways during very early development in mice. At these very earliest embryonic developmental stages, mammalian species are very similar and the cells are like a blank sheet of paper. This study has shown that it is possible to use the same approach to create human EPSCs and also to establish EPSCs from pigs – mammals that had previously been elusive to stem cell researchers.
“Our porcine EPSCs isolated from pig embryos are the first well-characterized pig cell lines worldwide. EPSC’s great potential to develop into any type of cell provides important implications for developmental biology, regenerative medicine, organ transplantation, disease modelling, and screening for drugs.”
Dr Monika Nowak-Imialek, an author on the paper from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) in Germany
Learn more: Major stem cell discovery to boost research into development and regenerative medicine
The Latest on: Stem cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”stem cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Stem cells
- Show care to children undergoing stem cell transplantson May 12, 2024 at 10:00 pm
The contents of the care packs are designed to occupy and bring comfort to patients while they are isolated before and after the procedure.
- 24 hours with ‘RHONY’ alum Kelly Bensimon: Stem cell facials, smoothies and a luxe $13M real estate touron May 11, 2024 at 4:43 pm
From catching up over coffee at her favorite hotel to luxurious facials from her go-to stem cell specialist to sipping trendy smoothies, the model-turned-mogul gave us an inside look at life in ...
- Ask the doctors: Stem cells from baby teeth must be carefully extractedon May 11, 2024 at 6:12 am
And now come the caveats. Stem cells can only be extracted from freshly removed teeth. This includes teeth that come out naturally and those that have been extracted. The baby teeth that some parents ...
- University Hospitals first in Northeast Ohio to offer outpatient stem cell therapieson May 10, 2024 at 3:20 pm
The UH Seidman Cancer Center started the program a year ago and modeled it after other programs around the country that have been active for nearly a decade.
- ERR-gamma 'trains' stomach stem cells to become acid-producing cellson May 10, 2024 at 8:00 am
Common conditions such as indigestion and heartburn as well as peptic ulcers, autoimmune gastritis and stomach and esophageal cancers have one thing in common—they involve disruptions of the normal ...
- The CDC issues a report about infections from stem-cell treatments in Mexicoon May 9, 2024 at 5:54 pm
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a report about three cases of infections apparently linked to stem-cell treatments American patients received in Mexico ...
- Stem cells: A new mechanical transduceron May 9, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Scientists reveal how ETV4 controls stem cell differentiation in response to mechanical cues. Professor Jiwon Jang and Seungbok Yang, a PhD candidate, from the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang ...
- Stem cell treatments in Mexico linked to drug-resistant meningitis, joint infectionson May 9, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Antibiotic-resistant meningitis or severe, long-lasting joint infections: That's what three U.S. "medical tourists" brought home after seeking out unapproved stem cell treatments in Mexico, according ...
- Stem cell injections in Mexico can be hazardous. Report identifies US victims.on May 9, 2024 at 10:19 am
Two cases of bacterial infection shared identical genetic material even thought the procedures took place hundreds of miles apart.
- New stem cell research may have implications for liver transplantationon May 9, 2024 at 9:20 am
Liver disease, due to viral infections, alcohol abuse, obesity, or cancer, accounts for one in every 25 deaths worldwide. A liver transplant can be life saving for people with end-stage liver disease.
via Bing News