Molecule Helps Turn Regular Cells Into Stem Cells: Discovery is important, but clinical success could be years away, experts say

Source: HealthDay News
Posted: June 14, 2006

Summary:

Scientists say a molecule called Nanog could make ordinary cells capable of becoming any type of cell in the body, offering a potential means of replacing or repairing damaged tissues. It may also enable adult cells [from a patient, for example] to be reprogrammed into embryonic stem cells, and from these obtain the cells needed to treat his or her disease. Their study focused on mechanisms that give embryonic stem cells their "pluripotency" -- their ability to develop into any of the body's 200-plus cell types. Scientists thought Nanog might be important in this process, and genetically engineered the new cells to produce extra Nanog, forming almost 200 times more hybrid cells.

In the current study, researchers fused embryonic mouse stem cells with nerve-cell stem cells and with ordinary cells from the thymus -- a technology called "cell fusion." During this process, the hybrid cell that is produced is essentially "reprogrammed" with a different set of instructions, including just what type of cell it can develop into once it divides.

Commentary: Hopefully Nanog will be able to yield pluripotent cells that will be able to be tailored to patients' specific genetic make-up inorder to treat disease while avoiding immune system rejection.