Stem Cells Created Without the Use of Embryos

The production of human embryonic-like stem cells from biopsies of the adult male testes may now provide simple and non-controversial access, not currently available to individual cell-based therapy, without the ethical and immunologic hurdles associated with using human embryonic stem cells, according to British and German researchers.

Dr. Stephen Minger, head of the stem cell biology laboratory who led the research at King's College London (UK), commented on the study's findings, "The work by the group from Tubingen [Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Germany] is really outstanding. They have managed to generate cells that mimic embryonic stem cells in every way that we examined.”

The research study, which involved scientists from King's, utilized 22 different samples taken either from biopsies or from medical castrations. From these, they extracted a type of cell called the sperm precursor cell, a type of adult stem cell with a fixed role--to become a sperm cell. These were then manipulated chemically in the laboratory into a state more similar to cells found in the embryo, which can go on to generate all the cell types in the body. The researchers discovered that cellular and molecular categorization of these cells revealed many similarities to human embryonic stem cells, and the germline stem cells produced teratomas after transplantation into immunodeficient mice.

The human adult germline stem cells differentiated into various types of somatic cells of all three germ layers when grown under conditions used to induce the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. Dr. Minger explained, "Although the cells seem to have many if not all the properties of embryonic stem cells, there is still a considerable amount of work that need to be done particularly in terms of differentiating these cells and testing them in animal models of disease.”

Related Links:
King's College London
Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine