Enhanced Stem Cells Promote Tissue Regeneration

Engineers have enhanced stem cells' ability to regenerate vascular tissue (such as blood vessels) by equipping them with genes that produce extra growth factors (naturally occurring compounds that stimulate tissue growth). In a study in lab mice, they found that the stem cells successfully generated blood vessels near the site of an injury, allowing damaged tissue to survive.

Stem cells hold great potential as a way to promote tissue regeneration. However, this approach has been limited because stem cells do not produce enough growth factors after transplantation. The researchers' new supercharged stem cells could be used to treat an infarction (death of tissue caused by blockage of the blood supply, by a clot or another obstruction), or to induce blood supply for engineered tissues.

After removing stem cells from mouse bone marrow, the researchers used specially developed nanoparticles to deliver the gene for the growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The stem cells were then implanted into damaged tissue areas. These nanoparticles, which the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, MA, USA) investigators have also tested to deliver cancer treatments, are believed to be safer than the viruses often used for gene delivery.

Although the results appear promising, the technique needs more improvements before any human trials can begin, according to Dr. Daniel Anderson, a senior author of the study.

The study's findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), October 5, 2009.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology