Cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been used to reverse retinal degeneration in an animal model. This news offers new hope that a cure for the devastating eye disease may be available in the near future.
In their laboratory, Dr. Benjamin Reubinoff, Dr. Eyal Banin, and their colleagues from Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem developed conditions to guide hESCs to differentiate into functional cells that resembled the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
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The researchers described RPE as a layer of pigmented cells sandwiched between the visual retinal cells, called photoreceptors, and the nourishing blood vessels at the back of the eye.
They found that nicotinamide (vitamin B3, NIC) and Activin A, an important growth factor, promoted differentiation of hESCs towards an RPE fate.
![Stem Cells - Cord Blood]( "Stem Cells - Cord Blood")
According to them, the hESC-derived cells exhibited the defining characteristics associated with RPE.
When the researchers transplanted them into an animal model of retinal degeneration, the cells rescued the retina.
"Our findings are an important step towards the potential future use of hESCs to replenish RPE in blinding diseases," concludes Dr. Banin.
A research article describing the study has been published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
Source: ANI
RAS
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According to them, the hESC-derived cells exhibited the defining characteristics associated with RPE.
When the researchers transplanted them into an animal model of retinal degeneration, the cells rescued the retina.
"Our findings are an important step towards the potential future use of hESCs to replenish RPE in blinding diseases," concludes Dr. Banin.
A research article describing the study has been published in the journal Cell Stem Cell.
Source: ANI
RAS
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 Human Cord Blood can be Reprogrammed into Embryonic-Like Stem CellsIn two new studies researchers report that they have successfully reprogrammed human umbilical cord blood cells into cells with properties similar to human embryonic stem cells. | Advertisement
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Thymic stem cells actively participate in their environment by generating extracellular matrix proteins, essentially forming their own support system.
