Researchers Grow a Blood Vessel Network From a Few "Progenitor" Cells
In an experiment that could have applications in treating heart
disease and strokes, researchers have taken certain cells from the
blood and used them to grow entire networks of blood vessels in mice.
"What's really significant about our study is that we are using human
cells that can be obtained from blood or bone marrow rather than
removing and using fully developed blood vessels," said Harvard's
Joyce Bischoff, who led the study.[Reuters]
In the study, published in the journal Circulation Research
[subscription required], researchers did not use controversial stem
cells that can grow into any kind of specialized cell; they used
the "progenitor" cells found in blood and bone marrow that can grow
into several different types of cells. The progenitor cells were
implanted in mice, and within seven days, a "vigorous network" of new
vessels formed, joined up with the host animal's blood vessels and
started transporting blood [BBC News].
Researchers say the ability to grow extra blood vessels could be a
boon for stroke or heart disease patients, whose blood vessels have
been blocked or damaged. One ultimate goal is to replace some heart
surgery with injections of laboratory-grown cells that would
establish themselves in the body, providing a system of blood vessels
for damaged hearts that need more oxygen, said [co-author] Juan M.
Melero-Martin…
grow them and inject them back into the patient" [HealthDay News].
http://blogs.
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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