How cells communicate & repair themselves

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Article Date: 01 Mar 2010 - 2:00 PST

" Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital have discovered how cells communicate with

each other during times of cellular injury. The findings shed new light on how

the body repairs itself when organs become diseased, through small particles

known as microvesicles, and offers hope for tissue regeneration. The paper is

published in the March 2010 edition of the journal Experimental Hematology and

is now available online in advance of publication.

" Lead author Aliotta, MD, a physician researcher in the pulmonary/critical

care and hematology/oncology departments at Rhode Island Hospital, and his

colleagues focused their work on the microvesicles. These particles are several

times smaller than a normal cell and contain genetic information such as

messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), other species of RNA and protein. The paper

shows a novel mechanism by which the cells communicate with each other through

these microvesicles. During times of cellular injury or stress, or with certain

diseases like cancer, infections and cardiovascular disease, these particles are

shed and then taken up by other cells in the body. The genetic information and

protein in the microvesicles helps to reprogram the accepting cell to behave

more like the cell from which the particle was derived. " More information at

this website.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180699.php

FYI,

Lottie Duthu