Retina Cells Created From Skin-derived Stem Cells
ScienceDaily (Aug. 25, 2009) — A team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health has successfully grown multiple types of retina cells from two types of stem cells — suggesting a future in which damaged retinas could be repaired by cells grown from the patient's own skin.
Even sooner, the discovery will lead to laboratory models for studying genetically linked eye conditions, screening new drugs to treat those conditions and understanding the development of the human eye.
A Waisman Center research team led by David Gamm, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, and Jason Meyer, a research scientist, announced their discovery in the Aug. 24 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"This is an important step forward for us, as it not only confirms that multiple retinal cells can be derived from human iPS cells using the Wisconsin approach, but also shows how similar the process is to normal human retinal development," Gamm says. "That is quite remarkable given that the starting cell is so different from a retinal cell and the whole process takes place in a plastic dish. We continue to be amazed at how deep we can probe into these early events and find that they mimic those found in developing retinas. Perhaps this is the way to close the gap between what we know about building a retina in mice, frogs and flies with that of humans."
Gamm says the work built on the strong tradition of stem cell research at UW-Madison. James Thomson, a School of Medicine and Public Health faculty member and director of regenerative medicine at the Morgridge Institute for Research on the UW-Madison campus, announced that he had made human stem cells from skin, called induced pluripotent stem (iPS cells), in November 2007. Su-Chun Zhang, UW-Madison professor of anatomy and a Waisman researcher, was among the first to create neural cells from embryonic stem cells. Zhang was also part of the Gamm lab's retinal study. Meyer says the retina project began by using embryonic stem cells, but incorporated the iPS cells as they became available.
Ultimately, the group was able to grow multiple types of retina cells beginning with either type of stem cell, starting with a highly enriched population of very primitive cells with the potential to become retina. This is critical, as it reduces contamination from unwanted cells early in the process. In normal human development, embryonic stem cells begin to differentiate into more specialized cell types about five days after fertilization. The retina develops from a group of cells that arise during the earliest stages of the developing nervous system. The Wisconsin team took cells from skin, turned them back into cells resembling embryonic stem cells, then triggered the development of retinal cell types.
"This is one of the most comprehensive demonstrations of a cell-based system for studying all of the key events that lead to the generation of specialized neural cells,'' Meyer says. "It could serve as a foundation for unlocking the mechanisms that produce human retinal cells."
Because the group was successful using the iPS cells, they expect this advance to lead to studying retinal development in detail and treating conditions that are genetically linked. For example, skin from a patient with retinitis pigmentosa could be reprogrammed into iPS cells, then retina cells, which would allow researchers to screen large numbers of potential drugs for treating or curing the condition.
Likewise, someday ophthalmologists may be able to repair damage to the retina by growing rescue or repair cells from the patient's skin. Earlier this year, scientists from the University of Washington showed that human ES cells had the potential to replace retinal cells lost during disease in mice.
"We're able to produce significant numbers of photoreceptor cells and other retinal cell types using our system, which are lost in many disorders," Meyer says. Photoreceptors are light-sensitive cells that absorb light and transmit the image as an electrical signal to the brain.
The team had similar success in creating the multiple specialized types of retina cells from embryonic stem cells, underscoring the similarities between ES and iPS cells. However, Gamm emphasizes that there are differences between these cell types as well. More work is needed to understand their potential and their limitations.
Other members of Gamm's Waisman Center research team involved in this study include Elizabeth Capowski, Lynda Wright, Kyle Wallace, Rebecca Shearer and Erin McMillan.
The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Walsh Family Foundation, the Lincy Foundation and the Retina Research Foundation.
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Stem Cell Therapy for Down Syndrome
StemCells21 and its partner Integrated Medical Center have released details of a treatment plan to help those with Down Syndrome.
It combines Mesenchymal and CD34 stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood with growth factors, neurotropic supplements, stem cell nutrition and antioxidant supplements. The combination offers the potential to increase brain tissue development and halt the production of the abnormal protein which interferes with such development. The safe, outpatient treatment is available in Bangkok and takes seven days.
Down syndrome (DS), also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affects about 1 in every 800 babies. The physical features and medical problems associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some with DS need a lot of medical attention, others lead healthy lives. Though Down syndrome can’t be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born. The health problems that can go along with DS can be treated, and there are many resources within communities to help children and their families who are living with the condition.
StemCells21
Stem Cells 21 http://www.stemcells21.com is the adult stem cellThailand for medical care. Their partner laboratories and physicians have developed a range of treatment protocols using either umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells or adipose-derived cells.
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Stem Cell Therapy for Down Syndrome
StemCells21 and its partner Integrated Medical Center have released details of a treatment plan to help those with Down Syndrome.
It combines Mesenchymal and CD34 stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood with growth factors, neurotropic supplements, stem cell nutrition and antioxidant supplements. The combination offers the potential to increase brain tissue development and halt the production of the abnormal protein which interferes with such development. The safe, outpatient treatment is available in Bangkok and takes seven days.
Down syndrome (DS), also called Trisomy 21, is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affects about 1 in every 800 babies. The physical features and medical problems associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some with DS need a lot of medical attention, others lead healthy lives. Though Down syndrome can’t be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born. The health problems that can go along with DS can be treated, and there are many resources within communities to help children and their families who are living with the condition.
StemCells21
Stem Cells 21 http://www.stemcells21.com is the adult stem cellThailand for medical care. Their partner laboratories and physicians have developed a range of treatment protocols using either umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells or adipose-derived cells, from the patient’s own body, for a wide variety of progressive and debilitating diseases. treatment division of Jai Communications Ltd., an expat company based in Bangkok. In partnership with clinics and hospitals they manage patient care for foreigners going to
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NBA Trainers Educated About Benefits of Stem Cell Nutrition
Athletic Trainers who attended the recent NBATA (National Basketball Association Trainers Association) annual meeting in Chicago were exposed - most for the first time ever - to a promising new concept in the area of reducing exercise recovery time among athletes: stem cell nutrition. With recent controversy continuing to highlight the use of banned substances by athletes to enhance athletic performance, this novel, non-invasive and all-natural alternative garnered much interest from the Athletic Trainers.
While virtually all of the Athletic Trainers already knew about stem cells and their potential benefits, most had absolutely no idea that you can nutritionally support the body's natural ability to release stem cells from your bone marrow
Science has shown that a higher level of one's own circulating adult stem cells is related to supporting greater health. Our research indicates that this also extends to muscle recovery, which significantly affects athletic training and ability.
With the demands of long seasons and the multi-million dollar risk of injury, big name pro athletes are beginning to embrace this new category of supplements in a big way
all athletes, from professionals to weekend warriors, can benefit from this kind of nutritional support.
San Clemente, California (PRWEB) July 25, 2009 -- Athletic Trainers who attended the recent NBATA (National Basketball Association Trainers Association) annual meeting in Chicago were exposed - most for the first time ever - to a promising new concept in the area of reducing exercise recovery time among athletes: stem cell nutrition.
With recent controversy continuing to highlight the use of banned substances by athletes to enhance athletic performance, this novel, non-invasive and all-natural alternative garnered much interest from the Athletic Trainers.
"While virtually all of the Athletic Trainers already knew about stem cells and their potential benefits, most had absolutely no idea that you can nutritionally support the body's natural ability to release stem cells from your bone marrow," said Heather Livingston, STEMTech's VP of Global Product Training & Sports Marketing. According to Livingston, an internationally recognized health expert who has trained and counseled a number of Olympic athletes and professional sports teams, "Science has shown that a higher level of one's own circulating adult stem cells is related to supporting greater health. Our research indicates that this also extends to muscle recovery, which significantly affects athletic training and ability."
According to Livingston, "With the demands of long seasons and the multi-million dollar risk of injury, big name pro athletes are beginning to embrace this new category of supplements in a big way", though she added, "all athletes, from professionals to weekend warriors, can benefit from this kind of nutritional support."
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