Stem Cells Transformed Into Immune Cells. But researchers stress that lab results may take years to duplicate in humans

Source: HealthDay News
Posted: July 7. 2006

Summary:

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles announced that they converted stem cells into T-cells, a crucial part of the immune system. Production of T-cells could produce a new treatment for AIDS an other immune system diseases. In the new research, the scientists tested what happened when blood-forming stem cells were injected into a human thymus that had been implanted into a mouse. The thymus, part of the human immune system, converted the stem cells into T-cells. In another positive sign, the research suggests that scientists can piggyback a gene onto stem cells, delivering it to a diseased organ. Potentially, the stem-cell therapy could fight any disease that robs the immune system of its ability to function properly. However, obstacles such as immune system rejection of the stem cells still need to be overcome.

Commentary: This finding seems to provide new insights into using cell therapies to treat immune diseases. Hopefully it can eventually be turned into effective treatments for human immune system diseases.