Human spare parts from skin cells

Human skin cell replacement: For the first time, Canadian scientists have been able to generate human blood cells from human skin cells without using stem cells. The skin cells were programmed in blood cells. The researchers are now hoping to use the genetically modified cells for the treatment of numerous diseases. The new method could be used, for example, for anemia and leukemia. It will probably be several years before such procedures become reality.

Scientists at the Canadian MC Masters University in Hamilton have developed a new method of reprogramming skin cells into blood cells. The researchers said they could do without the detour via a stem cell. The research group led by Eva Szabo showed that human skin cells called fibroblasts can be transformed into nerve cells and cardiac cells. Although other scientists had already undertaken similar test series, so far these have only been implemented in animal experiments.

Procedures could be used for anemia, cancer and leukemia
In the future, the results could help provide patients with body-own cells in leukemia, without the cells being rejected. With the new method, the researchers want to develop methods, for example, to develop therapies for people suffering from blood diseases. "In the future, we may be able to help people with anemia and leukemia or cancer patients in chemotherapy," said Mick Bhatia, scientific director of McMaster's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute.

In leukemia (blood cancer) and anemia, the patient's bone marrow is severely damaged. It has only a few blood-forming stem cells during the course of the disease. Patients with cancer, for example, due to the performed chemotherapy and radiation often suffer from anemia, because the drugs administered in addition to the cancerous tumor and destroy the blood cells.

Form skin tissue into the desired tissue material
One day, researchers hope, it should be possible to create new cells and tissues for the treatment of diseases. If further series of experiments work, in the distant future patients would only have to remove a few cells from the skin in order to shape them into the desired tissue material by means of gene processes. So would be created so to speak with genetic procedures spare parts for the human organism, which are not subsequently rejected by the body again. Because that „material“ comes from the patient's own body and is therefore no longer foreign tissue.

A number of researchers worldwide are currently working on the implementation of novel stem cells. Skin cells can be transformed back into the original form of the stem cell by inserting some signal proteins. These are in the professional world „iPS cells“ (induced pluripotent stem cells). These cells are also to be transformed into novel tissue. The Canadian researchers, however, have gone a different way. They avoided that „detour“ about the iPS condition and took one according to study report „abbreviation“.

In recent studies, the signaling molecule Oct4 plays an important role in the growth of iPS cells in the laboratory. The researchers also use so-called cytokines (small proteins), which are responsible for the growth and differentiation of the target cells. After several experimental setups, the scientists found „phagocytes“ (Macrophages and granulocytes) and red blood cells, as well as their precursor cells, the megakaryocytes. On the basis of these results, it has been proven that the skin cells can also return to the original form, ie to a multi-potent state. From this still go some, but not all of the approximately 200 cell types of man.

Numerous clinical arrangements necessary
Before this new technique can be applied, it must first be clarified in clinical arrangements whether the newly created cells are finally determined for their purpose. Because otherwise it could be that they are contrary to the expectation, in the blood to other cell types. The researchers explicitly point out that it will take several years of research before a clinical application can be implemented. According to the researchers, the earliest clinical trials could be undertaken in two years at the earliest.

Skepticism at the German Cancer Research Center
Not quite as euphoric was Alvin Krämer of the German Cancer Research Center: "The work is scientifically very interesting, but I'm skeptical, if the process prevails," said Krämer to the Financial Times Germany. Because the blood collected can be used for anemia, in bone marrow disease, this method, if it actually works, only a temporary solution. The research has been progressing rapidly for years. Background is a huge growth market resulting from this. After all, blood-forming drugs have immense market potential in the pharmaceutical industry. The research results were in the journal „Journal Nature "published (sb, 08.11.2010)

Also read:
Researchers are replicating stem cells from umbilical cord blood
Child dies after questionable stem cell therapy
Stem cells: Criticism of research results
Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury

Image: Herbert Käfer