A new method enabled scientists to produce naive pluripotent stem cells from human embryos for the first time. The new study can pave the way for the development of new regenerative drugs and advance the research on genetic disorders including Down syndrome.
Currently, procuring stem cells is a tedious process. Moreover, the harvested cells still carry instructions on how to develop into a specific type of cell. The new method offers better and easier way to obtain stem cells.
A naive pluripotent stem cell is the foremost manifestation of a cell before it becomes a specific type that can be found in various organs and body parts.
To date, scientists have two pluripotent stem cell sources. The first are the embryonic stem cells that can be obtained from discarded IVF fertilized eggs. The second are from the skin cells pre-programmed to become stem cells. However, these two sources are already "primed" to become specific types of cells.
The new method can help analyze how genetic disorders occur during cell development, including Down syndrome. The new technique enables the creation of earlier stem cells and make it easier for scientists to produce cells required for the regenerative treatment of damaged tissues and organs, including the pancreas, heart and brain.
University of Cambridge researcher Ge Guo said that until recently, isolation of these naive stem cells was impossible even if the needed technology has been present for the past 30 years.
The technology was first developed by Professor Matthew Kaufman and Sir Martin Evans 30 years ago during their time at the university. It was used for research on mouse embryos. This made some people doubt the technique and question the possibilities for human embryos.
"But we've managed to extract the cells and grow them individually in culture. Naïve stem cells have many potential applications, from regenerative medicine to modeling human disorders," added Guo.
The embryonic cells band together five days after the egg is fertilized. This cluster forms the blastocyst prior to its implantation. At this stage, there are three types of cells present. One type transforms into the placenta, the second type develops into the yolk sac that provides the fetus with the needed nutrients and the third type grows into the fetus.
The new method extracts the cell type that grows into the fetus. Separating these cells mean they can't differentiate and communicate anymore. When they are individually cultured, the cells grow and continue to differentiate.
The new technique was detailed in the journal Stem Cell Reports on March 3.
