Human embyronic stem cells used to treat the hearts of rats
Steven Reinberg in an article titled -- Embryonic Stem Cells Repair Human Heart-- discusses the use of HUMAN embryonic stem cells to repair the heart of a RAT.
Within the text of the article:
The researchers found that the rats that didn't receive the human heart cells all developed heart failure, according to the report in the Aug. 27 online issue of Nature Biotechnology.
"In contrast, the animals that got the human heart muscle grafts implanted in them had a complete reversal of the progression of heart failure," Murry said.
The article also stated:
One expert thinks that while the results of this study are promising, there are still many problems to be overcome before stem cells can be used to treat humans after a heart attack.
"This study makes the case that you can use embryonic stem cells after a heart attack, and shows that there is an improvement in cardiac function," said Dr. Kenneth R. Chien, a member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
In contrast to adult stem cells, these embryonic heart cells appear to actually be heart muscle. Experiments with adult stem cells seem to show improved heart function by creating blood vessels, Chien explained.
IPBiz had previously reported on the use of ADULT stem cells in the cardiac area:
http://ipbiz.blogspot.com/2007/03/abc-news-mentions-cardiac-treatment.html
In that case, a HUMAN was treated: The stem cells were derived from the patient who was treated, so there no immune issues due to a difference between patient and stem cell source. I believe the stem cells were injected into the heart.
Within the text of the article:
The researchers found that the rats that didn't receive the human heart cells all developed heart failure, according to the report in the Aug. 27 online issue of Nature Biotechnology.
"In contrast, the animals that got the human heart muscle grafts implanted in them had a complete reversal of the progression of heart failure," Murry said.
The article also stated:
One expert thinks that while the results of this study are promising, there are still many problems to be overcome before stem cells can be used to treat humans after a heart attack.
"This study makes the case that you can use embryonic stem cells after a heart attack, and shows that there is an improvement in cardiac function," said Dr. Kenneth R. Chien, a member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.
In contrast to adult stem cells, these embryonic heart cells appear to actually be heart muscle. Experiments with adult stem cells seem to show improved heart function by creating blood vessels, Chien explained.
IPBiz had previously reported on the use of ADULT stem cells in the cardiac area:
http://ipbiz.blogspot.com/2007/03/abc-news-mentions-cardiac-treatment.html
In that case, a HUMAN was treated: The stem cells were derived from the patient who was treated, so there no immune issues due to a difference between patient and stem cell source. I believe the stem cells were injected into the heart.
posted by Lawrence B. Ebert at 8:09 AM
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