Saturday, July 7, 2007

Stem Cells Repair Blood Vessels

An efficient new method to generate what appears to be a novel type of stem cell could be a boon to diseases linked to lack of blood flow.
The new type of cells helped repair tissue in animals that had had heart attacks or eye damage due to diabetes.
The tissue damage that accompanies many diseases, including the ulcers that occur in diabetes and the heart-muscle damage associated with cardiovascular disease, is linked to an inadequate supply of blood.
Researchers are currently trying to determine whether adult stem cells derived from bone marrow can boost blood flow in these diseases by triggering growth of new vessels.
In the new study, scientists developed a way to turn embryonic stem cells into stem cells that are an earlier and thus more plastic form than the adult stem cells derived from bone marrow.
quantities; in contrast, adult stem cells
Lanza has high hopes for the stem cells and has numerous collaborations in the works. He's exploring the cells' potential to prevent the progression of atherosclerosis, to treat stroke, and to be used as a starter ingredient to create "universal donor" blood cells for blood transfusions.

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