In a breakthrough study, a University of Missouri researcher is producing pigs born with cystic fibrosis (CF) that mimic the exact symptoms of human CF, and may help in further studying the deadly lung disease. Cystic Fibrosis continues to be a lethal disease for humans despite the identification of the problematic gene two decades ago. Many humans born with CF - the most common genetic disease in Caucasians - often die because of a lung disease developed later.
Till date, scientists have been not been able to develop an animal model that develops the fatal lung disease.
Birth Defects - Genetic - Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a progressively debilitating genetic disorder, which mainly affects the lungs and the digestive system
Advertisement
But now, the researchers are hopeful that these pigs will continue to mimic the human symptoms so the fatal lung disease can be studied and ultimately treated. Right now, if you want to do experiments to find treatments or therapies for the lung disease that is fatal for people with CF, you would have to experiment on kids that have CF," said Randy Prather, distinguished professor of reproductive biotechnology in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
He added: "When the genetic mutation is introduced into mice, they do not display the symptoms of CF. That's why these new swine models are so important. We have been able to get them through the initial stages of the disease, which they display just like humans, and now we are just waiting for them to grow and potentially develop the lung disease so we can start experimenting in ways that have never been possible."
![Respiratory Diseases - Cystic Fibrosis]( "Respiratory Diseases - Cystic Fibrosis")
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about Cystic Fibrosis
In a collaborative effort, Prather created the genetic defect in pigs, while a team led by Michael Welsh from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Iowa, made genetic modifications in pig cells.
Prather's group then generated the genetically modified pigs from the cells using a process known as nuclear transfer.
The pigs - called founder animals - that were produced carried only one copy of the mutated gene. Prather bred the pigs naturally and now many piglets have been born with CF.
Once a liter was born, the piglets were immediately flown to Iowa where physicians who perform the corrective surgery on human newborns with CF did the same for the pigs.
In the meantime, researchers performed analysis during the transit to determine which piglets have the mutations
"So far, all the mutations in the pigs have exactly mimicked the problems in humans born with CF. The whole cellular physiology of the pig is similar to humans. That's why having this break- through model is so exciting for the potential it has to move research on cystic fibrosis forward," said Prather.
The research is published in the journal Science.
Source: ANI
SRM
Respiratory Diseases - Cystic Fibrosis
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about Cystic Fibrosis
Advertisement
In a collaborative effort, Prather created the genetic defect in pigs, while a team led by Michael Welsh from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Iowa, made genetic modifications in pig cells.
Prather's group then generated the genetically modified pigs from the cells using a process known as nuclear transfer.
The pigs - called founder animals - that were produced carried only one copy of the mutated gene. Prather bred the pigs naturally and now many piglets have been born with CF.
Once a liter was born, the piglets were immediately flown to Iowa where physicians who perform the corrective surgery on human newborns with CF did the same for the pigs.
In the meantime, researchers performed analysis during the transit to determine which piglets have the mutations
"So far, all the mutations in the pigs have exactly mimicked the problems in humans born with CF. The whole cellular physiology of the pig is similar to humans. That's why having this break- through model is so exciting for the potential it has to move research on cystic fibrosis forward," said Prather.
The research is published in the journal Science.
Source: ANI
SRM
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Research News
Autoimmune disorders were found to be linked to Sjogren's, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis.
Successful brain pacemaker implantation has helped a 51year old Parkinson's disease patient to revitalize her quality of life.
Recent recommendations on lifestyle behaviors to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases revealed.
The study offers insights into how psoriasis can trigger diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Utilizing microparticles for therapy could mark a significant milestone in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases.