Blood vessels made from stem cells
Scientists seeking new ways to repair damaged arteries and ailing hearts have coaxed stem cells from a human embryo into forming tiny blood vessels. It’s the first time human embryonic stem cells have been nurtured to the point where they will organize into blood vessels that could nourish the body, according to Robert Langer, leader of a laboratory team at the Massachusetts Institute of technology.
But it isn’t likely to be the last, as scientists pursue research into uses for stem cells despite debate over the ethics of using the cells. The new development is reported in Tuesday’s online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. John Gearhart of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine said the research is a “nice illustration” of how stem cells can serve as a source of various types of cells, in this case for blood vessels. “I think this is terrific,” said Gearhart, who was not part of the research team. “It’s another good example of the isolation of an important cell type from human embryonic stem cells.”
“These are the kinds of papers we are going to see a lot of,” Gearhart. added. Langer said the work show that endothelial cells can be made from human embryonic stem cells.” Endothelial cells line veins, arteries and lymph tissue. They are key to the structures that carry blood throughout the body.
He said if the technique is refined, scientists may eventually be able to make in the laboratory blood vessels that could be used to replace diseased arteries in the body. “There are thousands of operations a year now where doctors take vessels from one part of the body and transplant them to another,” said Langer. Eventually, he said, such vessels might be mad outside the body from embryonic stem cells.
Langer said endothelial cells also might be used to restore circulation to cells damaged by heart attacks. He said the processed stem cells may be able to re-establish blood flow to hearts failing due to blocked arteries.(AP)
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