Bone Marrow Cells Become Gut-Lining Cells

Yale University scientists report discovering cells used in bone marrow transplantation can develop into new cells lining the gut.

The study by Yale School of Medicine researchers showed bone marrow-derived cells can differentiate into functional gastrointestinal epithelial cells after bone marrow transplantation. The researchers say their finding might be useful in treating cystic fibrosis.

We demonstrated the cells were functional by showing they express functional chloride channels, which are necessary for fluid balance in the gut, Dr. Diane Krause, professor of laboratory medicine and senior author of the study, said.

The scientists used mice that do not have such chloride channels. After bone marrow transplantation from donor mice that do have the chloride channel, recipient mice showed some normal chloride channel activity.

Although an exciting discovery, Krause said the levels of donor derived gut cells are currently far too low to be used in treating cystic fibrosis.

We hope this finding will have implications for cystic fibrosis, but this is a first step and there are many, many more years of research to be done before we can determine this, said Krause.

The study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.