Stem Cells – Page 5 – PossibleThreat Articles

Targeting certain rogue T cells prevents and reverses multiple sclerosis in mice

October 4, 2019 0 Comments Brain Tumor, Dementia, Huntington's Disease, Immune System, Lymphoma, Multiple Sclerosis, neuroscience, Stem Cells

Multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder, is known to be driven by 'helper' T cells, white blood cells that mount an inflammatory attack on the brain and spinal cord. A new study pinpoints the specific subgroup of helper T cells that cause MS, as well as a protein on their surface, called CXCR6, that marks them. An antibody targeting CXCR6 both prevented and reversed MS in a mouse model, the researchers report.

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Scientists create brain-mimicking environment to grow 3D tissue models of brain tumors

October 4, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry, Brain Injury, Brain Tumor, Brain-Computer Interfaces, Cancer, Medical Technology, neuroscience, Organic Chemistry, Stem Cells

Researchers have developed 3-dimensional human tissue culture models of pediatric and adult brain cancers in a brain-mimicking microenvironment, that includes brain-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) — the complex network of proteins and amino acids with bound sugars that not only provides support for surrounding neural tissue, but also helps to guide cell growth and development. The development represents a significant advancement for the study of brain tumor biology and pharmacological response.

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Scientists ID new targets to treat fibrosis, a feature of many chronic diseases

October 4, 2019 0 Comments Cystic Fibrosis, Epigenetics, Genes, Heart Disease, Human Biology, Immune System, Stem Cells, Women's Health

When it comes to repairing injured tissue, specialized cells in the body known as fibroblasts are called into action. Fibroblasts give rise to healing cells called myofibroblasts, which generally is good in the short term — but bad when myofibroblast activation gets out of hand. Now, researchers show how fibroblast activation and myofibroblast formation occurs, providing clues for how to target fibrosis — which impacts several chronic diseases.

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Stem cell studies offer hope for childhood neurological condition

October 3, 2019 0 Comments Brain Tumor, Diseases and Conditions, Immune System, Lymphoma, Nervous System, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, Stem Cells

Two new studies report progress in using stem cells to develop new therapies for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a rare genetic condition affecting boys that can be fatal before 10 years of age.

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New method to purify cell types to high purity

October 3, 2019 0 Comments Batteries, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cancer, Developmental Biology, Genetics, Lymphoma, Organic Chemistry, Stem Cells

Current biology research relies on the ability to purify cell types using antibodies or transgenic constructs. However, antibody availability is often limited, and genetic manipulation is labor intensive or sometimes impossible. To date, no universal method exists to enrich for cell types without a priori knowledge of cell type markers. Here, we propose GateID, a computational method that combines single-cell transcriptomics with FACS index sorting to purify cell types using only native cellular properties.

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Researchers create new viral vector for improved gene therapy in sickle cell disease

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Cloning, Gene Therapy, Genes, Genetics, Sickle Cell Anemia, Stem Cells

Researchers have developed a new and improved viral vector — a virus-based vehicle that delivers therapeutic genes — for use in gene therapy for sickle cell disease. In advanced lab tests using animal models, the new vector was up to 10 times more efficient at incorporating corrective genes into bone marrow stem cells than the conventional vectors currently used, and it had a carrying capacity of up to six times higher, the researchers report.

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Stem cell treatments for shoulder and elbow injuries flourish, but so far there's little evidence they work

October 1, 2019 0 Comments Back and Neck Pain, Joint Health, Medical Topics, Personalized Medicine, Sports Medicine, Stem Cells, Today's Healthcare, Wounds and Healing

Two critical reviews examine the current status of biologic approaches for common shoulder and elbow problems. The authors discuss areas where the current evidence base is weak or controversial and recommend where further studies are required.

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Epilepsy: Function of 'brake cells' disrupted

October 1, 2019 0 Comments Brain Tumor, Brain-Computer Interfaces, Disorders and Syndromes, Epilepsy, Epilepsy Research, Nervous System, neuroscience, Stem Cells

In some forms of epilepsy, the function of certain ''brake cells'' in the brain is presumed to be disrupted. This may be one of the reasons why the electrical malfunction is able to spread from the point of origin across large parts of the brain. A current study points in this direction.

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Skin-cells-turned-to-heart-cells help unravel genetic underpinnings of cardiac function

September 30, 2019 0 Comments Diseases and Conditions, Genes, Heart Disease, Human Biology, Personalized Medicine, Stem Cells, Stroke Prevention, Vioxx

A small genetic study identified a protein linked to many genetic variants that affect heart function. Researchers are expanding the model to other organ systems and at larger scales to create a broader understanding of genes and proteins involved.

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A new mechanism has been revealed which could lead to premature aging in mother cells

September 30, 2019 0 Comments Brain Tumor, Cancer, Diseases and Conditions, Immune System, Lung Cancer, Lymphoma, Nervous System, Stem Cells

A new mechanism makes it possible to understand premature ageing in cells with asymmetrical cell division, as is the case with mother cells. Understanding this mechanism is useful for studying and, in the future, anticipating the development of ageing-related diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative processes.