The First Tissue-Engineered Airway Transplantation: 5-Year Follow-Up Results In 2008, the first transplantation of a tissue-engineered trachea in a human being was done to replace an end-staged left main bronchus with malacia in a 30-year-old woman. Researchers report five year follow-up results. [Lancet] Abstract

Resident Neural Stem Cells Restrict Tissue Damage and Neuronal Loss after Spinal Cord Injury in MiceCentral nervous system injuries are accompanied by scar formation. It has been difficult to delineate the precise role of the scar, as it is made by several different cell types, which may limit the damage but also inhibit axonal regrowth. Scientists showed that scarring by neural stem cell-derived astrocytes is required to restrict secondary enlargement of the lesion and further axonal loss after spinal cord injury. [Science] Abstract| Press Release

iPSC-Derived Neural Precursors Exert a Neuroprotective Role in Immune-Mediated Demyelination via the Secretion of LIF Scientists showed that mouse induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem/precursor cells - when intrathecally transplanted after disease onset - ameliorate clinical and pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. [Nat Commun] Abstract

The Enhancement of Bone Regeneration by Gene Activated Matrix Encoding for Platelet Derived Growth FactorResearchers developed and tested a non-viral gene delivery system for bone regeneration utilizing a collagen scaffold to deliver polyethylenimine-plasmid DNA (encoding platelet derived growth factor-B) complexes. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Interferon-?-Secreting Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exert Potent Antitumor Effect In VivoScientists tested whether mesenchymal stem cells continuingly secreting interferon-? (IFN?) can exert a persistent antitumor effect and eliminate the side effects associated with high clinical doses of recombinant IFN?. [Oncogene] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Induces Glucocorticoid Synthesis in Colonic Mucosa and Suppresses Radiation-Activated T Cells: New Insights into MSC Immunomodulation In a rat model of radiation proctitis, investigators evidenced that a single mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection reduces colonic mucosa damages induced by ionizing radiation with improvement of the re-epithelization process for up to 21 days. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Production and First-in-Man Use of T Cells Engineered to Express a HSVTK-CD34 Sort-Suicide GeneSuicide gene modified donor T cells can improve immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but can be eliminated in the event of graft versus host disease through the administration of prodrug. Researchers report the production and first-in-man use of mismatched donor T cells modified with a gamma-retroviral vector expressing a herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSVTK):truncated CD34 suicide gene/magnetic selection marker protein. [PLoS One] Full Article| Press Release

The Therapeutic Effects of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse ModelsIntravenously or intracerebrally transplanted human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) greatly improved memory impairment and neuropathology, suggesting that hASCs have a high therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease. [Neurodegener Dis] Abstract

Safety of Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Chronic Spinal Cord InjuryResearchers assessed safety parameters for delayed transplantation of human central nervous system-derived neural stem cells (hCNS-SCns) by comparing hCNS-SCns transplantation in the subacute period, 9 days postinjury (DPI), versus the chronic period, 60 DPI, in contusion-injured athymic nude rats. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract| Press Release

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CellTherapyNews — Cell Therapy News Home

Stem cell transplants -- from bone marrow or other sources -- can be an effective treatment for people with certain forms of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Stem cell transplants are also used for multiple myeloma and neuroblastoma, and theyre being studied as a treatment for other cancers, too.

Why do cancer patients consider these transplants? While high doses of chemotherapy and radiation can effectively kill cancer cells, they have an unwanted side effect: They can also destroy the bone marrow, where blood cells are made.

Overview

Approximately 1.5 million new cases of cancer were expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2009,[1] and that number is expected to rise in 2010.[2] Many patients diagnosed with cancer will eventually require support from a family caregiver. In fact, family caregivers form the foundation of the health care system in the United States, supporting advances in treatment such as multimodality treatment protocols given in outpatient and home settings.[3] Definition: Who Is the Caregiver? Also...

Read the Overview article > >

The purpose of a stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant is to replenish the body with healthy cells and bone marrow when chemotherapy and radiation are finished. After a successful transplant, the bone marrow will start to produce new blood cells. In some cases, the transplant can have an added benefit; the new blood cells will also attack and destroy any cancer cells that survived the initial treatment.

While you may have heard about embryonic stem cells in the news, the stem cells used in cancer treatment are different. Theyre called hematopoietic stem cells.

Whats special about these cells? Unlike most cells, these stem cells have the ability to divide and form new and different kinds of blood cells. Specifically, they can create oxygen-carrying red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells, and clot-forming platelets.

Most stem cells are in the bone marrow, a spongy tissue inside bone. Other stem cells -- called peripheral blood stem cells -- circulate in the blood. Both types can be used in stem cell transplants for cancer treatment.

While stem cell transplants may be lifesaving, theyre not the right treatment for everyone. The process can be difficult and tedious. Since younger people often do better with these treatments, some doctors limit stem cell transplants to those under age 60 or 70.

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Bone Marrow Transplants and Stem Cell Transplants for Cancer Treatment

The Promise of Stem Cells

Studying stem cells will help us understand how they transform into the dazzling array of specialized cells that make us what we are. Some of the most serious medical conditions, such as cancer and birth defects, are due to problems that occur somewhere in this process. A better understanding of normal cell development will allow us to understand and perhaps correct the errors that cause these medical conditions.

Another potential application of stem cells is making cells and tissues for medical therapies. Today, donated organs and tissues are often used to replace those that are diseased or destroyed. Unfortunately, the number of people needing a transplant far exceeds the number of organs available for transplantation. Pluripotent stem cells offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat a myriad of diseases, conditions, and disabilities including Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal cord injury, burns, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Scientists have been able to do experiments with human embryonic stem cells (hESC) since 1998, when a group led by Dr. James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin developed a technique to isolate and grow the cells. Although hESCs are thought to offer potential cures and therapies for many devastating diseases, research using them is still in its basic stages. hESCs are thought to offer potential cures and therapies for many devastating diseases, and we are now seeing the first clinical trials using cells derived from hESCs.

The NIH funded its first basic research study on hESCs in 2002. Since that time, biotechnology companies have built upon those basic foundations to begin developing stem cell-based human therapies. There are currently two active clinical trials using cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, both being conducted by a biotechnology company called ACT. The company has laboratories in Marlborough, Massachusetts and corporate offices in Santa Monica, California. ACT has begun enrolling patients for Phase I (safety and tolerability) clinical trials of two hESC-derived stem cell products:

In January, 2012, the investigators published a preliminary report on the first two patients treated with hESC-derived cells: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22281388. A third patient was treated on April 20, 2012.

Late in 2007, scientists reported that they had been able to reprogram adult human skin cells to behave like hESCs. This type of stem cells is known as induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs. Since these first reports, researchers have rapidly improved the techniques to generate iPSCs, creating a powerful new way to "de-differentiate" cells whose developmental fates were thought to be determined. In July 2013, Japans health minister approved the first clinical trial using cells derived from iPSCs. Masayo Takahashiin Kobe, Japan will use the cells to attempt to treat a form of blindness - age-related macular degeneration.

Bone marrow contains blood-forming stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells) that have been used for decades to treat blood cancers and other blood disorders. Umbilical cord blood is another source of hematopoietic stem cells that is being used in treatment. You can see a list of diseases that may currently be treated with hematopoietic stem cells at the website of the National Marrow Donor Program. You may also search for clinical trials testing "bone marrow stem cells" or "umbilical cord blood" on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.

A biotechnology company called Neuralstem (corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland) is conducting a clinical trial testing the use of human spinal cord stem cells to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. The company obtained FDA approval to conduct a Phase I trial (safety and tolerability study) and began enrolling patients in January 2010. Twelve participants have received lumbar transplants, and in March 2012, the second participant received an injection in the cervial region. Details about this trial are listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website.

Osiris Therapeutics (Columbia, Maryland) is conducting three different Phase 2 clinical trials with a product from adult mesenchymal cells (called Prochymal). The three trials are for:

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Stem Cells and Diseases [Stem Cell Information]

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside some of your bones, such as your hip and thigh bones. It contains immature cells, called stem cells. The stem cells can develop into the red blood cells that carry oxygen through your body, the white blood cells that fight infections, and the platelets that help with blood clotting.

If you have a bone marrow disease, there are problems with the stem cells or how they develop. Leukemia is a cancer in which the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells. With aplastic anemia, the bone marrow doesn't make red blood cells. Other diseases, such as lymphoma, can spread into the bone marrow and affect the production of blood cells. Other causes of bone marrow disorders include your genetic makeup and environmental factors.

Symptoms of bone marrow diseases vary. Treatments depend on the disorder and how severe it is. They might involve medicines, blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant.

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Bone Marrow Diseases: MedlinePlus - U.S. National Library of Medicine

This article is about the medical aspects of bone marrow in humans. For use of animal bone marrow in cuisine, see Bone marrow (food).

Bone marrow is the flexible tissue in the interior of bones. In humans, red blood cells are produced in the heads of long bones in a process known as hematopoiesis. On average, bone marrow constitutes 4% of the total body mass of humans; in an adult weighing 65 kilograms (143lb), bone marrow typically accounts for approximately 2.6 kilograms (5.7lb). The hematopoietic component of bone marrow produces approximately 500 billion blood cells per day, which use the bone marrow vasculature as a conduit to the body's systemic circulation.[1] Bone marrow is also a key component of the lymphatic system, producing the lymphocytes that support the body's immune system.[2]

Bone marrow transplants can be conducted to treat severe diseases of the bone marrow, including certain forms of cancer. Additionally, bone marrow stem cells have been successfully transformed into functional neural cells,[3] and can also potentially be used to treat illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease[4] and, in some cases, HIV.[5][6]

The two types of bone marrow are medulla ossium rubra (red marrow), which consists mainly of hematopoietic tissue, and medulla ossium flava (yellow marrow), which is mainly made up of fat cells. Red blood cells, platelets and most white blood cells arise in red marrow. Both types of bone marrow contain numerous blood vessels and capillaries. At birth, all bone marrow is red. With age, more and more of it is converted to the yellow type; only around half of adult bone marrow is red. Red marrow is found mainly in the flat bones, such as the pelvis, sternum, cranium, ribs, vertebrae and scapulae, and in the cancellous ("spongy") material at the epiphyseal ends of long bones such as the femur and humerus. Yellow marrow is found in the medullary cavity, the hollow interior of the middle portion of long bones. In cases of severe blood loss, the body can convert yellow marrow back to red marrow to increase blood cell production.

The stroma of the bone marrow is all tissue not directly involved in the marrow's primary function of hematopoiesis. Yellow bone marrow makes up the majority of bone marrow stroma, in addition to smaller concentrations of stromal cells located in the red bone marrow. Though not as active as parenchymal red marrow, stroma is indirectly involved in hematopoiesis, since it provides the hematopoietic microenvironment that facilitates hematopoiesis by the parenchymal cells. For instance, they generate colony stimulating factors, which have a significant effect on hematopoiesis. Cell types that constitute the bone marrow stroma include:

The blood vessels of the bone marrow constitute a barrier, inhibiting immature blood cells from leaving the marrow. Only mature blood cells contain the membrane proteins required to attach to and pass the blood vessel endothelium. Hematopoietic stem cells may also cross the bone marrow barrier, and may thus be harvested from blood.

The bone marrow stroma contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs),[7] also known as marrow stromal cells. These are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. MSCs have been shown to differentiate, in vitro or in vivo, into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, adipocytes and beta-pancreatic islets cells. MSCs can also transdifferentiate into neuronal cells.[3]

In addition, the bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells, which give rise to the three classes of blood cells that are found in the circulation: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).[7]

Biological compartmentalization is evident within the bone marrow, in that certain cell types tend to aggregate in specific areas. For instance, erythrocytes, macrophages, and their precursors tend to gather around blood vessels, while granulocytes gather at the borders of the bone marrow.

The red bone marrow is a key element of the lymphatic system, being one of the primary lymphoid organs that generate lymphocytes from immature hematopoietic progenitor cells.[2] The bone marrow and thymus constitute the primary lymphoid tissues involved in the production and early selection of lymphocytes. Furthermore, bone marrow performs a valve-like function to prevent the backflow of lymphatic fluid in the lymphatic system.

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Bone marrow - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What are bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cells?

Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside bones. It contains immature cells known as hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells. (Hematopoietic stem cells are different from embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can develop into every type of cell in the body.) Hematopoietic stem cells divide to form more blood-forming stem cells, or they mature into one of three types of blood cells: white blood cells, which fight infection; red blood cells, which carry oxygen; and platelets, which help the blood to clot. Most hematopoietic stem cells are found in the bone marrow, but some cells, called peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), are found in the bloodstream. Blood in the umbilical cord also contains hematopoietic stem cells. Cells from any of these sources can be used in transplants.

What are bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation?

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) are procedures that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. There are three types of transplants:

Why are BMT and PBSCT used in cancer treatment?

One reason BMT and PBSCT are used in cancer treatment is to make it possible for patients to receive very high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. To understand more about why BMT and PBSCT are used, it is helpful to understand how chemotherapy and radiation therapy work.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy generally affect cells that divide rapidly. They are used to treat cancer because cancer cells divide more often than most healthy cells. However, because bone marrow cells also divide frequently, high-dose treatments can severely damage or destroy the patients bone marrow. Without healthy bone marrow, the patient is no longer able to make the blood cells needed to carry oxygen, fight infection, and prevent bleeding. BMT and PBSCT replace stem cells destroyed by treatment. The healthy, transplanted stem cells can restore the bone marrows ability to produce the blood cells the patient needs.

In some types of leukemia, the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect that occurs after allogeneic BMT and PBSCT is crucial to the effectiveness of the treatment. GVT occurs when white blood cells from the donor (the graft) identify the cancer cells that remain in the patients body after the chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (the tumor) as foreign and attack them. (A potential complication of allogeneic transplants called graft-versus-host disease is discussed in Questions 5 and 14.)

What types of cancer are treated with BMT and PBSCT?

BMT and PBSCT are most commonly used in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. They are most effective when the leukemia or lymphoma is in remission (the signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared). BMT and PBSCT are also used to treat other cancers such as neuroblastoma (cancer that arises in immature nerve cells and affects mostly infants and children) and multiple myeloma. Researchers are evaluating BMT and PBSCT in clinical trials (research studies) for the treatment of various types of cancer.

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Bone Marrow Transplantation and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell ...

home stem cell research all about stem cells what are stem cells?

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. Commonly, stem cells come from two main sources:

Both types are generally characterized by their potency, or potential to differentiate into different cell types (such as skin, muscle, bone, etc.).

Adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body after embryonic development and are found inside of different types of tissue. These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and the liver. They remain in a quiescent or non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury.

Adult stem cells can divide or self-renew indefinitely, enabling them to generate a range of cell types from the originating organ or even regenerate the entire original organ. It is generally thought that adult stem cells are limited in their ability to differentiate based on their tissue of origin, but there is some evidence to suggest that they can differentiate to become other cell types.

Embryonic stem cells are derived from a four- or five-day-old human embryo that is in the blastocyst phase of development. The embryos are usually extras that have been created in IVF (in vitro fertilization) clinics where several eggs are fertilized in a test tube, but only one is implanted into a woman.

Sexual reproduction begins when a male's sperm fertilizes a female's ovum (egg) to form a single cell called a zygote. The single zygote cell then begins a series of divisions, forming 2, 4, 8, 16 cells, etc. After four to six days - before implantation in the uterus - this mass of cells is called a blastocyst. The blastocyst consists of an inner cell mass (embryoblast) and an outer cell mass (trophoblast). The outer cell mass becomes part of the placenta, and the inner cell mass is the group of cells that will differentiate to become all the structures of an adult organism. This latter mass is the source of embryonic stem cells - totipotent cells (cells with total potential to develop into any cell in the body).

In a normal pregnancy, the blastocyst stage continues until implantation of the embryo in the uterus, at which point the embryo is referred to as a fetus. This usually occurs by the end of the 10th week of gestation after all major organs of the body have been created.

However, when extracting embryonic stem cells, the blastocyst stage signals when to isolate stem cells by placing the "inner cell mass" of the blastocyst into a culture dish containing a nutrient-rich broth. Lacking the necessary stimulation to differentiate, they begin to divide and replicate while maintaining their ability to become any cell type in the human body. Eventually, these undifferentiated cells can be stimulated to create specialized cells.

Stem cells are either extracted from adult tissue or from a dividing zygote in a culture dish. Once extracted, scientists place the cells in a controlled culture that prohibits them from further specializing or differentiating but usually allows them to divide and replicate. The process of growing large numbers of embryonic stem cells has been easier than growing large numbers of adult stem cells, but progress is being made for both cell types.

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What are Stem Cells? - Medical News Today

In November 2007 scientists announced they had developed a new way to cause mature human cells to resemble pluripotent stem cells - similar in many ways to human embryonic stem cells. By simply altering the expression of just four genes using genetic modification, the mature cells were 'induced' to become more primitive, stem cells and were referred to as 'induced' pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.

Initially iPS cells were generated using viruses to change gene expression, however since the initial discovery, technologies for reprogramming cells are moving very quickly and researchers are now investigating the use of new methods that do not use viruses which can cause permanent and potentially harmful changes in the cells. If they are able to be made safely, and on a large scale, iPS cells could possibly be used to provide a source of cells to replace cells damaged following illness or disease. It may even be possible to make stem cells for therapy from a patient's own cells and thereby avoid the use of anti-rejection medications.

However, right now scientists are using this method to create disease specific cells for research by taking a cells - maybe from a skin biopsy - from a patient with a genetic disorder, such as Huntingtons disease, and then using the iPS cells to study the disease in the laboratory. Scientist hope that such an approach will help them understand the development and progression of certain diseases, and assist in the development and testing of new drugs to treat disease.

While the discovery of iPS cells was a very important development, more research needs to be done to discover if they will offer the same research value as embryonic stem cells and if they will be as useful for therapy.

To learn more about iPS cells watch What are induced pluripotent stem cells? in our video library.

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What are induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells? - Stem Cells ...

Induced pluripotent stem cells,[1] commonly abbreviated as iPS cells or iPSCs are a type of pluripotent stem cell artificially derived from a non-pluripotent cell typically an adult somatic cell by inducing a "forced" expression of specific genes.

Induced pluripotent stem cells are similar to natural pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem (ES) cells, in many aspects, such as the expression of certain stem cell genes and proteins, chromatin methylation patterns, doubling time, embryoid body formation, teratoma formation, viable chimera formation, and potency and differentiability, but the full extent of their relation to natural pluripotent stem cells is still being assessed.[2] Induced pluripotent cells have been made from adult stomach, liver, skin cells, blood cells, prostate cells and urinary tract cells.[3]

iPSCs were first produced in 2006 from mouse cells and in 2007 from human cells in a series of experiments by Shinya Yamanaka's team at Kyoto University, Japan, and by James Thomson's team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For her iPSC research, Dr. Nancy Bachman, of Oneonta, NY, was awarded the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2012 (along with John B. Gurdon).[4][5][6] For his iPSC discovery (and for deriving the first human embryonic stem cell), James Thomson received the 2011 Albany Medical Center Prize for Biomedical Research and the 2011 King Faisal International Prize, which he shared with Yamanaka. In October 2012, Yamanaka and fellow stem cell researcher John Gurdon were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent."[7]

iPSCs are an important advance in stem cell research, as they may allow researchers to obtain pluripotent stem cells, which are important in research and potentially have therapeutic uses, without the controversial use of embryos. Because iPSCs are developed from a patient's own somatic cells, it was believed that treatment of iPSCs would avoid any immunogenic responses; however, Zhao et al. have challenged this assumption.[8]

Depending on the methods used, reprogramming of adult cells to obtain iPSCs may pose significant risks that could limit their use in humans. For example, if viruses are used to genomically alter the cells, the expression of cancer-causing genes "oncogenes" may potentially be triggered. In February 2008, scientists announced the discovery of a technique that could remove oncogenes after the induction of pluripotency, thereby increasing the potential use of iPS cells in human diseases.[9] In April 2009, it was demonstrated that generation of iPS cells is possible without any genetic alteration of the adult cell: a repeated treatment of the cells with certain proteins channeled into the cells via poly-arginine anchors was sufficient to induce pluripotency.[10] The acronym given for those iPSCs is piPSCs (protein-induced pluripotent stem cells).

Dedifferentiation to totipotency or pluripotency: an overview of methods. Various methods exist to revert adult somatic cells to pluripotency or totipotency. In the case of totipotency, reprogramming is mediated through a mature metaphase II oocyte as in somatic cell nuclear transfer (Wilmut et al., 1997). Recent work has demonstrated the feasibility of enucleated zygotes or early blastomeres chemically arrested during mitosis, such that nuclear envelope break down occurs, to support reprogramming to totipotency in a process called chromosome transfer (Egli and Eggan, 2010). Direct reprogramming methods support reversion to pluripotency; though, vehicles and biotypes vary considerably in efficiencies (Takahashi and Yamanaka, 2006). Viral-mediated transduction robustly supports dedifferentiation to pluripotency through retroviral or DNA-viral routes but carries the onus of insertional inactivation. Additionally, epigenetic reprogramming by enforced expression of OSKM through DNA routes exists such as plasmid DNA, minicircles, transposons, episomes and DNA mulicistronic construct targeting by homologous recombination has also been demonstrated; however, these methods suffer from the burden to potentially alter the recipient genome by gene insertion (Ho et al., 2010). While protein-mediated transduction supports reprogramming adult cells to pluripotency, the method is cumbersome and requires recombinant protein expression and purification expertise, and reprograms albeit at very low frequencies (Kim et al., 2009). A major obstacle of using RNA for reprogramming is its lability and that single-stranded RNA biotypes trigger innate antiviral defense pathways such as interferon and NF-B-dependent pathways. In vitro transcribed RNA, containing stabilizing modifications such as 5-methylguanosine capping or substituted ribonucleobases, e.g. pseudouracil, is 35-fold more efficient than viral transduction and has the additional benefit of not altering the somatic genome (Warren et al., 2010). An overarching goal of reprogramming methods is to replace genes with small molecules to assist in reprogramming. No cocktail has been identified to completely reprogram adult cells to totipotency or pluripotency, but many examples exist that improve the overall efficiency of the process and can supplant one or more genes by direct reprogramming routes (Feng et al., 2009; Zhu et al., 2010).

iPS cells are typically derived by transfection of certain stem cell-associated genes into non-pluripotent cells, such as adult fibroblasts, although this technique is becoming less popular since it is known to be prone to inducing cancer formation. Transfection is typically achieved through viral vectors, such as retroviruses. Transfected genes include the master transcriptional regulators Oct-3/4 (Pou5f1) and Sox2, although it is suggested that other genes enhance the efficiency of induction. After 34 weeks, small numbers of transfected cells begin to become morphologically and biochemically similar to pluripotent stem cells, and are typically isolated through morphological selection, doubling time, or through a reporter gene and antibiotic selection.

Induced pluripotent stem cells were first generated by Shinya Yamanaka's team at Kyoto University, Japan in 2006. Yamanaka used genes that had been identified as particularly important in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and used retroviruses to transduce mouse fibroblasts with a selection of those genes. Eventually, four key pluripotency genes essential for the production of pluripotent stem cells were isolated; Oct-3/4, SOX2, c-Myc, and Klf4. Cells were isolated by antibiotic selection of Fbx15+ cells. However, this iPS cell line showed DNA methylation errors compared to original patterns in ESC lines and failed to produce viable chimeras if injected into developing embryos.

In June 2007, the same group published a breakthrough study along with two other independent research groups from Harvard, MIT, and the University of California, Los Angeles, showing successful reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts into iPS cells and even producing viable chimera. These cell lines were also derived from mouse fibroblasts by retroviral mediated reactivation of the same four endogenous pluripotent factors, but the researchers now selected a different marker for detection. Instead of Fbx15, they used Nanog which is an important gene in ESCs. DNA methylation patterns and production of viable chimeras (and thereby contributing to subsequent germ-line production) indicated that Nanog is a major determinant of cellular pluripotency.[11][12][13][14][15]

Unfortunately, two of the four genes used (namely, c-Myc and KLF4) are oncogenic, and 20% of the chimeric mice developed cancer. In a later study, Yamanaka reported that one can create iPSCs even without c-Myc. The process takes longer and is not as efficient, but the resulting chimeras didn't develop cancer.[16]

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Induced pluripotent stem cell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Orange, CA (PRWEB) September 30, 2013

TeleHealth, the leading stem cell therapy clinic on the West Coast, is now offering multiple treatments with stem cells for knee arthritis. The stem cell treatments are very exciting as they present the possibility of repairing and regenerating arthritis damage in the knees. The treatments are offered by Board Certified stem cell doctors at the clinic in outpatient, low risk procedures that are often covered by insurance. Call (888) 828-4575 for more information and scheduling.

Over the past few years, increasing studies are showing the benefits of regenerative medicine treatments for knee arthritis. This includes a study out of the Hospital for Special Surgery last year showing effectiveness of platelet rich plasma therapy for knee arthritis. Treatment options at TeleHealth include both platelet rich plasma therapy (PRP therapy) along with bone marrow derived stem cell injection therapy or fat derived stem cell therapy.

Often, the treatments are combined to produce maximum knee arthritis benefit and allow patients to avoid surgery, reduce pain and dramatically increase functional ability. While knee replacement surgery has been shown to have a high success rate, the components are not meant to last forever and there can be complications with the surgery.

Therefore, it makes sense to try conservative treatment prior such as with the regenerative medicine options at TeleHealth. Especially considering the stem cell treatments are often covered by insurance.

TeleHealths main stem cell clinic is located in Orange, CA, convenient to major freeways and not far from San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Ana and Inland Empire. The highly skilled stem cell doctors at the clinic are Board Certified and have years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions with stem cell treatments including shoulder arthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, muscle tears and much more.

Call (888) 828-4575 for more information and scheduling.

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Southern California Stem Cell Therapy Clinic, TeleHealth, Now Offering Stem Cells for Knee Arthritis

Kilian Receives Stemlogix Stem Cell Therapy

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Kilian Receives Stemlogix Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Ben Moody of Evanescence talks HGH Stem Cell Therapy MetroMD Los Angeles

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Ben Moody of Evanescence talks HGH Stem Cell Therapy MetroMD Los Angeles - Video

Jessica Soho Reports- STEM CELL therapy and LAMININE
visit http://www.mylifepharm.com/junvillomo.

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Jessica Soho Reports- STEM CELL therapy and LAMININE - Video

What is Stem Cell Therapy by Dr Alok Sharma
Dr. Alok Sharma M.S, M.Ch., (Neurosurgeon) talks on what is stem cell therapy and it is used for Autism, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Cord Injury. Cerebral Pal...

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Orange County, CA (PRWEB) September 23, 2013

The leading regenerative medicine clinic on the West Coast, TeleHealth, is now offering three different types of stem cell therapy injections. The California stem cell treatments are predominantly covered by insurance, and performed by Board Certified stem cell doctors. For more information and scheduling, call (888) 828-4575.

The stem cell treatments are excellent for joint arthritis, tendonitis, ligament injuries, and spinal arthritis along with degenerative disc disease. Initial research with small studies has shown regenerative medicine treatments are working well for degenerative conditions, such as the recent study out of the Hospital for Special Surgery.

One of the treatments offered is bone marrow derived stem cell injections. These are outpatient procedures that involve harvesting the patient's own bone marrow, processing it, and injecting into the area of concern at the same setting. These bone marrow stem cell injections have very low risk and the potential for helping regenerate damaged cartilage and soft tissue from such conditions as achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis and tennis elbow.

The second procedure offered is platelet rich plasma therapy. This procedure involves a simple blood draw from the patient, and the blood is centrifuged for approximately 15 minutes. This separates the blood into concentrated platelets and growth factors, which are then injected into the problem area. This material then calls in the body's stem cells to facilitate further repair. At times PRP is used in conjunction with bone marrow derived stem cell injections.

The third procedure utilized is fat derived stem cell injections, which has the same indications as bone marrow derived.

TeleHealth sees patients from a broad area of the west coast and offers Board Certified doctors providing treatment. To seek treatment with the premier stem cell therapy clinic, call (888) 828-4575.

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Leading Stem Cell Clinic in California, TeleHealth, Now Offering 3 Different Stem Cell Therapy Treatments

Interview with Mr. Rene Sarmiento of Powermax Re Stem Cell Therapy Summit

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The Doctors - Stem Cell Therapy For Red The Dog
Stemcellvet.co.uk offer adipose derived Stem Cell Therapy for pets in the UK. We treat cats and dogs predominantly for arthritis but there is also the potent...

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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy by Dr Alok Sharma Mumbai India
Improvement seen in just 5 day after Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. After Stem Cell Therapy 1. Cramp...

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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy by Dr Alok Sharma Mumbai India - Video

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Genetic engineering helps damaged heart cells beat again DVICE Although heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, there are now more than 5 million heart attack survivors in the country. Due to the amount of heart cells that are damaged during an attack and the resulting scar tissue that ... and more »

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Musicians Who Are Smarter Than You (Including Ke$ha) Huffington Post Canada This co-frontlady of English electro-pop outfit Ladytron is the one who sings the band's Bulgarian songs but she's also fluent in molecular genetics. In 2003, she published an article in the journal 'Molecular Microbioloy' called "Species Specificity ...

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