Researchers Develop Artificial Bone Marrow; May Be Used To Reproduce Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Citation

Date of Publication: January 10th, 2014

URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140110102645.htm

Summary: Researchers at KIT have constructed synthetic bone marrow, the structure of which closely approximates that of natural bone marrow. It generates blood stem cells and bears other important properties. Normally, blood cell quantities are replenished by the hematopoietic stem cells, which produce new blood cells in a very specific area of the bone marrow. The microcosm in which stem cells thrive are sponge-like and porous parts of the bone, with a matrix that contains attaching points and nutrients for cells. Dr. Cornelia Lee-Thedieck and her team were able to manufacture the artificial bone marrow from synthetic polymers, simulate many conditions of natural bone marrow, then introduce hematopoietic stem cells derived from cord blood to their creation. The cells reproduced. The study of the aforementioned model may help scientists create an artificial blood cell-making stem cell microenvironment and thereby yield a potential treatment for leukemic individuals, who need a healthy supply of hematopoietic stem cells. Donors are scarce. As of now the cells cannot easily be produced, since they only maintain their stem cell properties in their natural niche. However, the KIT group may have managed to surmount this obstacle, making inroads upon the field of stem cell research. 

Relevance: In the previous unit, our curriculum covered the skeletal system. We learned about the structure of a typical long bone shaft, which has a central cavity with walls of spongy bone. Furthermore, the cavity stores yellow bone marrow (adipose tissue) or red bone marrow. The former serves as a fat storehouse while the latter is involved in hematopoiesis, or the production of red blood cells. Moreover, we learned that red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, bind hemoglobin--which stores oxygen for delivery to cells--rendering them very important to the function of an individual. This article expands and elaborates on the environment in which blood cells are created, and introduces a possible breakthrough in the artificial production of functioning bone marrow.