We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Bone Marrow Transplantation Techniques Are Successfully Adapted for Lung Repair

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Jul 2015
Print article
Image: New lung cells are continuously created to replace the damaged ones: Lung tissue six weeks after stem cell transplantation (left) and 16 weeks after transplantation (right). Cells that originated in the transplanted stem cells are green, as opposed to the uncolored host lung cells (Photo courtesy of the Weizmann Institute of Science).
Image: New lung cells are continuously created to replace the damaged ones: Lung tissue six weeks after stem cell transplantation (left) and 16 weeks after transplantation (right). Cells that originated in the transplanted stem cells are green, as opposed to the uncolored host lung cells (Photo courtesy of the Weizmann Institute of Science).
A new approach for repairing the damage caused to lung tissue by diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis is based on transplanting embryonic stem cells into damaged lungs that have been conditioned by radiation treatment.

Investigators at the Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot, Israel) recognized the similarity between the arrangement of cellular compartments within the lung and the arrangement of similar compartments in the bone marrow. They reasoned that methods used for bone marrow transplantation might prove useful for inducing stem cells to mature into functional lung tissue.

Initial experiments indicated that human and mouse embryonic lung tissue from the canalicular stage of development (20–22 weeks of gestation for humans, and embryonic day 15–16 for the mouse) were enriched with stem cell progenitors residing in distinct niches. Younger cells had not yet completed the process of differentiation, while older cells were less capable of lung regeneration.

The investigators exposed naphthalene-injured, lung damaged mice to doses of sublethal radiation to empty out lung progenitor niches and to reduce stem cell competition. A single cell suspension of canalicular lung tissue of either mouse or human fetal origin was then administered intravenously.

Results published in the July 13, 2015, online edition of the journal Nature Medicine revealed that recipients of the single cell suspension transplant exhibited marked improvement in lung compliance. The treatment induced marked long-term lung chimerism with donor type structures or "patches" that contained epithelial, mesenchymal, and endothelial cells.

"Certain stem cells that normally reside in the lungs are highly similar to those in the bone marrow," said senior author Dr. Yair Reisner, professor of immunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science. "In each organ, the stem cells, rather than being distributed throughout the tissue, are concentrated in special compartments that contain all the provisions that stem cells need. That understanding suggested to us that we might be able to apply our knowledge of techniques for transplanting bone marrow stem cells to repairing lung tissue, but our real vision, bolstered by this success, is to create a bank of lung tissue that will be a resource for embryonic lung stem cells."

Related Links:

Weizmann Institute of Science


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
Gold Member
ADAMTS-13 Protease Activity Test
ATS-13 Activity Assay

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.