A new stem-cell discovery might one day lead to a more streamlined process for obtaining stem cells, which in turn could be used in the development of replacement tissue for failing body parts, according to UC San Francisco scientists who reported the findings in the current edition of Cell.
The work builds on a strategy that involves reprogramming adult cells back to an embryonic state in which they again have the potential to become any type of cell.
The efficiency of this process may soon increase thanks to the scientists' identification of biochemical pathways that can inhibit the necessary reprogramming of gene activity in adult human cells. Removing these barriers increased the efficiency of stem-cell production, the researchers found.
"Our new work has important implications for both regenerative medicine and cancer research," said Miguel Ramalho-Santos, PhD, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF, who led the research, funded in part by a NIH Director's New Innovator Award.
The earlier discovery that it was possible to take specialized adult cells and reverse the developmental clock to strip the mature cells of their distinctive identities and characteristics -- and to make them immortal, reprogrammable cells that theoretically can be used to replace any tissue type -- led to a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to UCSF, Gladstone Institutes and Kyoto University researcher Shinya Yamanaka, MD, in 2012.
These induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are regarded as an alternative experimental approach to ongoing efforts to develop tissue from stem cells obtained from early-stage human embryos. However despite the promise of iPS cells and the excitement surrounding iPS research, the percentage of adult cells successfully converted to iPS cells is typically low, and the resultant cells often retain traces of their earlier lives as specialized cells.
Researchers generate stem cells by forcing the activation within adult cells of pluripotency-inducing genes -- starting with the so-called "Yamanaka factors" -- a process that turns back the clock on cellular maturation.
Yet, as Ramalho-Santos notes, "From the time of the discovery of iPS cells, it was appreciated that the specialized cells from which they are derived are not a blank slate. They express their own genes that may resist or counter reprogramming."
But the nature of what exactly was getting in the way of reprogramming remained poorly understood. "Now, by genetically removing multiple barriers to reprogramming, we have found that the efficiency of generation of iPS cells can be greatly increased," he said. The discovery will contribute to accelerating the safe and efficient use of iPS cells and other reprogrammed cells, according to Ramalho-Santos.
The researchers found not merely isolated genes acting as barriers, but rather sets of genes acting in concert through different mechanisms to throw up roadblocks to reprogramming. "At practically every level of a cell's functions there are genes that act in an intricately coordinated fashion to antagonize reprogramming," Ramalho-Santos said. These mechanisms are likely to help adult cells maintain their identities and functional roles.
Here is the original post:
Stem cell advance may increase efficiency of tissue regeneration
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Provides Strategic Update on its Skin Care Program [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- CSC news roundup 2010-04-11 [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Engages Leading Immunogeneticists to Advance its Industry-first, Immune-matched Stem Cells [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- MicroRNA therapy could be a powerful tool to correct the CSC dysregulation? [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-04-18 [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- Sessions on CSC Therapeutics at AACR10 [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- More about presentations at AACR10 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-01 [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Signs Financing Agreement [Last Updated On: May 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- CSC news links 2010-05-08 [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell and Absorption Systems Confirm Results Showing Stem Cell Derived Corneal Tissue as an Alternative to Animals for Drug Testing [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- Generic drug a potential treatment for glioblastoma? [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- US Patent: Isolation and use of solid tumor stem cells [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and The Automation Partnership Enter into Strategic Alliance to Automate Cornea Tissue Production [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- An evolving concept of CSC in tumor biology [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Moves International Cornea Development Program Forward [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- Phase I clinical trial of ICT-107 [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- CSCs responsible for metastasis identified [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation's Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Patent is Approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Announces Company Update Conference Call. ISCO Chairman Kenneth Aldrich to Discuss 'Status of the Company' [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- Decitabine may target ovarian CSCs? [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- New Article from North County Times - BIOTECH: International Stem Cell Clears Debt, Gets Patent [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- Patent application: Levels of Oct1 as a method of identifying CSCs [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- OncoMed Has 'Wnt' in its Sails [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Names Charles J. Casamento to Board of Directors [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO.OB) Announces New Patent Issuance Under License Agreement [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- California Health Institute Interviews Jeffrey Janus - CEO of Lifeline Cell Technology [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation - Excerpt from Agora Financial's Breakthrough Technology Alert by Patrick Cox [Last Updated On: July 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 1st, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- Melanoma-initiating cells identified [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya Launch Collaboration to Develop Stem Cell-Based Treatment for Corneal Vision Impairment [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Two recent OA articles [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- Innovative Researcher Vlog [Last Updated On: July 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 16th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- More about salinomycin [Last Updated On: July 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 19th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation Plans $10 Million Financing Through European Subsidiary [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Irradiating brain's stem cell niche [Last Updated On: July 26th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 26th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Prostate CSCs sensitive to gamma-tocotrienol? [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- Researchers Study CSCs as Therapeutic Targets for Mesothelioma [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- International Stem Cell Corporation and Sristi Biosciences Enter Distribution Agreement for Lifeline Cell Technology's Brand of Human Cell Culture... [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Disagreement about melanoma CSCs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]
- Cell of origin for human prostate cancer [Last Updated On: August 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2010]