New Method For The Cultivation Of Stem Cells
By Marietta Gross - Scoop Media Auckland
Scoop Report: Scientists from the US company Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) have cultivated human embryonic stem cells without any
animal host cells. And while it is questionable if embryonic stem cells can be used for therapies scientists say one of
the security risks can now be avoided.
Embryonic stem cells are normally cultivated with animal host cells, so called feeder layers. If these stem cells are
transplanted to a patient it would elevate the risk that viruses or parthogenic proteins be transmitted onto the
patient.
“Our results contribute to solve this problem to enable the medical use of stem cells”, says Robert Lanza, executive
researcher of the ACT-team.
In the online version of the magazine “The Lancet” the scientists report how they have now created a new stem cell. The
cells were cultivated over a period of six months and then permitted to develop into various tissue types. Instead of
layers of animal cells the scientists used a sterile protein matrix. The scientists claim these proteins wouldn’t pose
any risk of infection for humans.
However, other difficulties at the application of stem cells within human medicine would persist, says Outi Hovatta from
the Swedish university hospital Huddinge.
It is unclear, how rejections at the implanting of external cells could be avoided and how genetic changes of the cells
in long term culture could be prohibited. Moreover Hovatta says the regulation of cell development requires yet further
research.