Stem cell breakthrough could set up future transplant therapies

Francesca Sajedi
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131010124732.htm
Author: University of Cambridge
Date Published: October 10, 2013


Summary:
                 Researchers at The University of Cambridge have found a way to produce large amounts of foregut cells that are uncontaminated and can be used for clinical applications and later on for regenerative therapies. Foregut cells include cells in the alimentary canal from the mouth to the duodenum, including the liver and pancreas. The researchers didn’t come up with a brand new idea, but they greatly enhanced an existing one. In order for them to grow stem cells, they have to start with human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These are biological cells that are unspecialized. Since the cells are not specialized, they have the potential to transform into one of the three cell layers. The mesoderm, endoderm, and the ectoderm are the three layers of cells. In order for the researchers to transform the cells successfully, they had to figure out ways to ensure that there would only be the specific kind they wanted and how to differentiate the target cells. The researchers figured out that they had to change each pathway for each cell and vary the environment where they are kept. Even in the foregut there are many different types needed. Under these conditions, researchers could use a contaminated sample because the non-endodermal cells gradually disappeared. They gradually disappeared because the endodermal cells were in a stage where they self-reproduced. When they self-reproduce, it doesn’t allow any room for the others and researchers can use the large quantities for research and clinical purposes. Growing these cells also allow scientists to learn more about how each piece of the foregut develops in the embryological stages. More research is needed, but hopefully these cells will be able to develop new treatments for Type 1 Diabetes and liver disease.
Connection: 
                    This article relates to our human body units because the stem cells are going to help with parts of the digestive system and the endocrine system. It will help with the digestive system because the stem cells could be used for any part in the foregut/ mouth to the duodenum. With the stem cells helping with these parts, we can learn more about the foregut’s embryological development through the way that the researchers grow stem cells. The stem cells will help the endocrine system because they will help treat Type 1 Diabetes and liver disease. In addition, the article relates to our human body units because these stem cells will help our bodies sustain homeostasis on its own because it can regenerate the functions of the cells in the foregut, liver, and pancreas. If these structures are at all damaged doctors will eventually be able to inject these cells to replace the damaged cell in the structure.