Crucial immune cells derived from stem cells

Source: NewScientist.com news service
Posted: 16:22 04 July 2006

Summary:

For the first time human embryonic stem cells have been coaxed into becoming T-cells, suggesting new ways to fight immune disorders including AIDS and the “bubble boy” disease, X-SCID.

A team of scientists genetically-engineered ESCs and then pushed them to become T-cells in a three-step process. First the cells were given a gene for a green fluorescent protein using a genetically-engineered virus. Next, the cells were grown on mouse bone marrow cells. Finally, they were injected into a small piece of human thymus which had been implanted in a mouse with a deficient immune system. The technique opens news possibilities for treatment of genetic and immunological diseases.

Commentary: This technique seems as if it may be able to be used to produce immune cells to treat immune deficiency conditions.