Human embryonic stem cells transformed into insulin-producing cells when implanted into mice, possibly offering a long-term way to treat diabetes, researchers in the US reported on Wednesday.
Writing in the journal Nature Biotechnology, researchers at Novocell Inc said their work showed that human embryonic stem cells might fulfil the promise of treating, or perhaps even curing diabetes. “Our data provides evidence that human embryonic stem cells can serve as a renewable source of insulin-producing cells for diabetes therapies,” said Emmanuel Baetge, the chief scientific officer of Novocell. At least 170 million people globally have diabetes. In the disease, the body cannot use insulin properly or make enough of it to regulate glucose in the blood. Patients must monitor their blood sugar and often must take insulin as needed. One hope is to use embryonic stem cell technology to create insulin-producing cells. Embryonic stem cells are master cells, producing all the other cells and tissues in the body. They can live virtually forever in lab dishes, producing generations of new cells. Novocell used embryos discarded from fertility clinics. The team used hormone-producing stem cells (endocrine). But each cell produced a mishmash of hormones, instead of specialising into insulin-producing cells. So they took a step back, and implanted immature cells into mice, under the skin and in other areas. “Something in the mouse directed the cells to mature properly; producing and releasing insulin in response to glucose,” Baetge said. He says his company also has technology to encapsulate cells, protecting them from the immune system rejection response. He hopes that would mean patients could use donations of stem cells from other people without taking immune-suppressing drugs. The company is now looking for a large pharmaceutical company to partner with for further development. Group Moderator for [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Connect your World with Us join Now - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dimpill_gang/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Adult Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fantazies/join Affiliated group from dimpill_gang for Only Health and Food Mails - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Health_and_Gourmet/join Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now, on http://help.yahoo.com/l/in/yahoo/mail/yahoomail/tools/tools-08.html/
