Source Of Multipotent Stem Cells With Broad Regenerative Potential identified

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Source Of Multipotent Stem Cells With Broad Regenerative Potential

identified

http://medicalnewscenter.com/out/out.cgi?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080922122429.htm

In a promising finding for the field of regenerative medicine, stem

cell researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have

identified a source of adult stem cells found on the walls of blood

vessels with the unlimited potential to differentiate into human

tissues such as bone, cartilage and muscle.

The scientists, led by Bruno Péault, PhD, deputy director of the Stem

Cell Research Center at Children's Hospital, identified cells known

as pericytes that are multipotent, meaning they have broad

developmental potential. Pericytes are found on the walls of small

blood vessels such as capillaries and microvessels throughout the

body and have the potential to be extracted and grown into many types

of tissues, according to the study.

" This finding marks the first direct evidence of the source of

multipotent adult stem cells known as mesenchymal stem cells. We

believe pericytes represent one of the most promising sources of

multipotent stem cells that scientists have been searching for in the

quest to make regenerative medicine possible, " Dr. Péault said. " The

encouraging aspect of this source is that blood vessels are the one

structure that all tissues in the human body have in common. These

cells can be extracted easily and painlessly from convenient sources

such as fat tissue, dental pulp, umbilical cord and placental tissue,

then grown in culture to large numbers and, possibly, re-injected

into the patient to heal a broken bone, a failing joint or an injured

muscle. "

In their laboratory in the G. Rangos Sr. Research Center,

researchers were able to identify pericytes in all human tissues they

analyzed, including muscle, fat, pancreas, placenta and many other

samples. Through purification in the lab, these pericytes could then

be coaxed into becoming whatever type of tissue the scientists

desired. For instance, the researchers took pericytes from the

pancreas and then reinjected them into an injured muscle. The cells

immediately began regenerating muscle tissue.

Results of the study are published in the September issue of the

journal Cell Stem Cell.