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Scientists Create Stem Cells from Skin Cells

Posted on: Monday, 7 April 2008, 13:00 CDT

As scientists continue to pursue their goal of using a patient’s stem cells to create cures for diseases, many still argue that the process is ethically flawed. However, scientists believe they may have found an alternate route.

Researchers were able to take skin cells from patients with eight different diseases such as Huntington’s or muscular dystrophy and turn them into stem cells.

First produced in 2006 from mouse cells and in 2007 from human cell, these induced pluripotent stem cells are able to mimic any cell in the human body, thus they could potentially be used in place of controversial embryonic cells.

Dr Willy Lensch, of Harvard Medical School, said the process could provide new answers to understanding the early stages of genetic disease.

"We're looking at the perfect human brick," said Dr Chris Mason, of the UK National Stem Cell Network.

"Ethical, flexible and not rejected by the patient because it comes from the patient themselves."

Scientists still warn that use of induced pluripotent cells may carry unknown risks and actual IPS transplantation is well over a decade away.

Researchers in the UK are using skin cells from patients to form heart cells who hope to gain a greater understanding of heart disease.

"Obviously we want to make it as safe as possible," said Dr Mason.

There are potential risks, as inserted genes can inadvertently switch on cancer-causing oncogenes.

Scientists hope that genetic modification won’t be necessary in the near future, while adding that “a safety-crazed society” shouldn’t hamper progress of a potential treatment for patients .

“As long as we quantify the risks and patients understand them - are able to put them in context - the choice should be there," said Dr. Mason.

Researcher Shinya Yamanaka's team at Kyoto University was the first to use IPS on mice in 2006. A year later, James Thomson and colleagues at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Shinya Yamanaka’s team at Kyoto University both reported the creation of IPS from adult human cells.

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On the Net:

Harvard Medical School

UK National Stem Cell Network

Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports

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