A new study may have hit upon another way to improve stem cells‘ ability to help repair damaged tissue. While stem cells can rapidly grow into any kind of new tissue, they aren’t always able to encourage new blood vessels to grow so that the tissue stays alive. But in a new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists describe a way around the problem. The researchers used nanoparticles to ferry a key gene into the stem cells, which caused the cells to recruit new blood vessels, thus fueling tissue growth.
The nanoparticles carried a gene (VEGF) that is known to stimulate new blood vessel growth. When the modified cells were injected into mice whose hind limbs had been injured, the tissue that regrew to repair the damage had three times the blood vessel density of similar tissue in mice given unmodified cells. Four weeks later, only 20 per cent of the mice given modified cells had lost limbs, compared with 60 per cent in mice that received unmodified cells [New Scientist].
The researchers are optimistic about the nanoparticle approach, however they state in the study that the effect may be transient. They note that there was a significant increase in VEGF levels in mouse muscle two days following cell grafting, but VEGF levels produced by the cells dropped sharply after four days [The Scientist]. They say that using a virus to transmit the gene may be a better approach to stimulate new blood vessels over a longer period of time. However, the viral approach is not without risks–viruses can integrate into the genome of cells and linger permanently, potentially causing cancer or immune reactions [Bloomberg].
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Image: iStockphoto
October 7th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
any suggestions on where to find info on all the cells? please?
October 7th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
well this certifies only one judgement concluding metobiolic cells as for cytoplasm and cell membrane be sure to check our website at http:// www. heathandmedical.com/.net/cells/types
October 8th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Sasha-
There is tons of information on stem cells here:
http://repairstemcell.wordpress.com
and here:
http://repairstemcells.org
October 8th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
realy cool, check out http://technotech.yolasite.com/biology.php
October 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
this site is interesting and kool and thanx to this i learn and pass my science test
October 12th, 2009 at 5:06 am
the use of nanovectors in medicine, biosciences & biochem is nearly infinite in its benefits. of course we must minimize the risks while we maximize the benefits. if anyone has any questions in the area of nanomed, cells or neuroscience i’ll be glad to try and help address those inquiries. also in synthesis, characterization techniques and such of nanoparticles or nanostructures. its funny but i sometimes even dream about nanoscience. assays using nano are beginning to come into their own. it definitely appears the discipline will prove useful in many other areas as well. one reason i enjoy nanomedicine is it encompasses many of the other sub-disciplines in nanotechnology. of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. for those who fear toxic or negative effects of such technologies: once it was found some types of nanoparticles were toxic, research quickly found that encapsulation of those same NPs rendered them safe. however i’ll be the first to admit we need more studies focusing on nanotoxicity.