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The potential impact of olfactory stem cells as therapy reported in Cell Transplantation

Posted: June 6, 2012 at 8:11 am

Public release date: 5-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 5 , 2012) A study characterizing the multipotency and transplantation value of olfactory stem cells, as well as the ease in obtaining them, has been published in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:11/12), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"There is worldwide enthusiasm for cell transplantation therapy to repair failing organs," said study lead author Dr. Andrew Wetzig of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "The olfactory mucosa of a patient's nose can provide cells that are potentially significant candidates for human tissue repair."

According to the study authors, olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells, they are readily available by a minimally invasive biopsy technique, and they can be expanded in vitro. The cells are plentiful because the olfactory epithelium undergoes neurogenesis and continual replacement of sensory neurons throughout adult life.

"Using the rat as our animal model source, we examined the basic aspects of olfactory neural stem cell biology and its potential for self-renewal and phenotypic expression in various circumstances," said Dr. Wetzig. "Previously, we found that they have performed well in pre-clinical models of disease and transplantation and seem to emulate a wound healing process where the cells acquire the appropriate phenotype in an apparently orderly fashion over time."

The researchers concluded that the olfactory neurospheres contain stem cells whose capacity for differentiation is triggered by signals from the immediate environmental niche.

"Stem cell numbers were shown to be enriched by our culture methods," explained Dr. Wetzig. "We also demonstrated that when adult olfactory stem cells are transplanted into an environmental niche different from that of their origin, they demonstrate multipotency by acquiring the phenotype of the resident cells."

"This study highlights another potential source of stem cells that has shown some degree of promise in a number of studies" said Dr. John Sladek, professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Their relatively easy accessibility and multipotent properties are important factors that could rank these cells competitively with other stem cells thus giving them a potential impact as an excellent source for cell therapy".

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Eye Patients get New Stem Cell Treatment by American Retinal Surgeon

Posted: June 5, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Margate, FL (PRWEB) June 05, 2012

An American Retinal Surgeon from Florida has just finished treating 7 patients with a new technique he developed for administrating adult stem cells for eye disease. MD Stem Cells, a consultancy helping patients access leading stem cell providers in both the US and Europe - http://www.mdstemcells.com - made the announcement. "Our affiliate retinal surgeon traveled to Vienna, Austria to provide the new treatment to an international group of patients", explained Dr Levy, Senior Consultant at MD Stem Cells. " We are extremely pleased that this new procedure is now available and being provided on a routine basis". Patients came from the United States, Austria and Romania to obtain the adult stem cell treatment. They ranged in age from 2 years to 87 years old and suffered from a variety of eye diseases including AMD or Age Related Macular Degeneration, Myopic Macular Degeneration, Bulls Eye Retinopathy- a type of hereditary retinal disease , Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Optic Nerve Disease. All the patients did well and were very pleased with the treatment.

Adult Stem Cells are stem cells taken directly from the patients own body avoiding the problems associated with embryonic or fetal stem cells. They are typically obtained from the bone marrow where there is a high concentration of specific types of stem cells found to be useful for many diseases. At times they are obtained from the blood directly. Adult Stem Cells are now used to treat a number of different medical conditions including diabetes, renal failure, strokes, cerebral palsy, autism, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, COPD, heart disease and liver disease- in addition to ophthalmology problems.

Previously the stem cells were injected behind the eye to treat ophthalmic problems but the exact location and how far they might be from the targeted retinal or optic nerve tissue was not always known. In part, the variability in visual response to stem cell treatments has been thought to be from the difference in positioning of the stem cells and how far they were from the diseased area of the eye itself.

"Now with the new technique the stem cells can be placed precisely adjacent to the eye in a very safe manner," relayed Dr Levy. As an analogy, if your hand was the eye and a glove the surrounding tissue, the new technique allows the stem cells to be injected at the top of the glove and directed down to the exact fingertips the surgeon chooses. The doctor has performed retinal surgery previously to inject stem cells, but believes the risk-benefit for many patients now favors his new non-surgical technique. " Our surgeon notes that his approach avoids the risks of surgery yet allows him to precisely place the stem cells adjacent to the diseased part of the eye or the optic nerve for best effect", relayed Dr Levy.

The operating room at the Vienna International Medical Clinic Hospital was crowded with other physicians and health professionals from Vienna, Austria observing and recording the procedures. All the patients did well and were very pleased with the treatment.

"We're fortunate to be working with such an experienced retinal ophthalmologist," remarked Dr Levy. "He completed two retinal fellowships at Harvard, MIT and New England Deaconess Hospitals. His strong training and prior experience with stem cell treatments inspires confidence in patients and reassures physicians who may be referring or supporting their patients."

MD Stem Cells is a stem cell consultancy working directly with leading physicians and surgeons as providing stem cell treatments both in the United States and Europe. Many conditions can be treated and MD Stem Cells is available to discuss options with patients and interested or referring physicians. Their website is http://www.mdstemcells.com and they may be reached at 203-423-9494.

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Neuralstem Updates ALS Stem Cell Trial Progress; Emory University Institutional Review Board Approves Amendment

Posted: June 5, 2012 at 1:18 pm

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) announced that the Emory University Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the amendment to the ongoing Phase I trial evaluating Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). The amendment permits the return of three previously-treated patients to the trial to receive additional injections of cells. This modification to the protocol was approved earlier by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Implementation was contingent upon IRB approval, which has now been secured.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO )

"Bringing patients back for a second set of injections should they meet the inclusion requirements at the time of surgery, or giving new patients both lumbar and cervical injections, is a major step forward toward testing the maximum safe dosing of our cell therapy," said Richard Garr, Neuralstem President & CEO. "We have been encouraged by the results of the trial to date, and are eager to commence treating patients with this increased dosage."

About the Study

The ongoing Phase I study is designed to assess the safety of Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells (HSSC's) and transplantation technique in up to 18 patients with ALS.

The first twelve patients were all transplanted in the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine. Of these, the initial six (Cohort A) were all non-ambulatory with permanent paralysis. The first patient was treated on January 20, 2010. Successive surgeries have followed at the rate of one every one-to-two months. The first three patients (Cohort A1) were each treated with five unilateral HSSC injections in L2-L4 lumbar segments, while the next three patients (Cohort A2) received ten bilateral injections (five on each side) in the same region. The next six patients (Cohort B and C) were all ambulatory. Of these, the first three (Cohort B) received five unilateral injections in the L2-L4 region. The last three patients (Cohort C) in this study group received ten bilateral injections in the same region.

The trial was then approved to progress to cervical transplantations, with two cohorts of three patients (Cohort D and Cohort E). Cohort D has received five injections in the cervical region of the spinal cord. Cohort E will receive a total of fifteen injections, five in the cervical region and ten in the lumbar region.

About Neuralstem

Neuralstem's patented technology enables the ability to produce neural stem cells of the human brain and spinal cord in commercial quantities, and the ability to control the differentiation of these cells constitutively into mature, physiologically relevant human neurons and glia. Neuralstem is in an FDA-approved Phase I safety clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, and has been awarded orphan status designation by the FDA.

In addition to ALS, the company is also targeting major central nervous system conditions with its cell therapy platform, including spinal cord injury, ischemic spastic paraplegia and chronic stroke. The company has submitted an IND (Investigational New Drug) application to the FDA for a Phase I safety trial in chronic spinal cord injury.

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SANUWAVE Technology Shown to Proliferate Stem Cells and Form Bone

Posted: June 5, 2012 at 12:19 pm

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (SNWV), today announced the publication of peer-reviewed, preclinical research that demonstrates the ability of the Companys Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology (ESWT) to stimulate proliferation of periosteal adult stem cells (cambium cells) within the body and subsequently form bone. In addition, the combination of ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells and a bioactive scaffold regenerated more bone than a bioactive scaffold alone.

The publication, titled The Use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave-Stimulated Periosteal Cells for Orthotopic Bone Regeneration, appeared in the online edition of Tissue Engineering, Part A as an ePublication ahead of print. The abstract of the publication can be viewed online at: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ten.TEA.2011.0573.

Led by Myron Spector, M.D., a professor and researcher at Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, the authors stated, This study investigated a novel approach for treatment of bone loss, which has potential for many clinical situations where bone apposition is required (e.g., vertical ridge augmentation, regrowing bone following tumor resection, and regenerating bone lost at sites of osteolysis or bone degeneration).

The cambium cells of the periosteum (outer membrane covering bone) currently have limited suitability for clinical applications in their native state due to their low cell number (only 2 to 5 cells thick). However, ESWT has been shown to cause a rapid increase in periosteal cambium cell numbers and subsequent periosteal osteogenesis (bone formation). The advantages of adding a scaffold as we did in this study are threefold: the scaffold contours the new bone, it helps maintain bone at the implant site, and it creates a space to allow the periosteal cells to further proliferate and fill the scaffold.

The authors concluded, The ESWT-stimulated samples of tibial bone outperformed the control group in all key outcome variables, and the study results therefore demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT-stimulated periosteum for bone generation. These results successfully demonstrated the efficacy of periosteum stimulated by ESWT technology for bone generation.

In the first phase of this research, the authors successfully demonstrated that ESWT increased the thickness of the cambium layer surrounding bone and the number of cambium cells within that layer. This proliferation of adult stem cells is an important part of many tissue engineering strategies. Then, in a novel second phase, the authors combined the ESWT-proliferated adult stem cells with a porous calcium phosphate scaffold that is commonly utilized in clinical applications to stimulate bone regeneration. A comparator control group received the scaffold alone with no prior ESWT treatment. The results were statistically significant and favored the ESWT group. In fact, at two weeks post-surgery, there was a significant increase in all key outcome variables for bone growth favoring the group that received ESWT prior to being combined with a scaffold compared with the group that received only the scaffold.

Summary of Key Study Findings

About SANUWAVE Health, Inc. SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (www.sanuwave.com) is an emerging regenerative medicine company focused on the development and commercialization of noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of tissue, musculoskeletal and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, including new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, helping to restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE intends to apply its PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, is CE marked and has Canadian device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue. In the U.S., dermaPACE is currently under the FDAs Premarket Approval (PMA) review process for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved Ossatron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its Ossatron, Evotron and orthoPACE devices in Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the marketing of the Companys product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Companys ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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Medistem Achieves Important ERC Stem Cell Clinical Trial Milestone

Posted: June 5, 2012 at 3:12 am

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -06/04/12)- Medistem Inc. (MEDS) announced today positive safety data from the first 5 patients enrolled in the Non-Revascularizable IschEmic Cardiomyopathy treated with Retrograde COronary Sinus Venous DElivery of Cell TheRapy (RECOVER-ERC) trial. The clinical trial uses the company's "Universal Donor" Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC) to treat Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

According to the study design, after 5 patients enter the trial, they must be observed for a two month time period before additional patients are allowed to enter the study. Patient data was analyzed by the study's independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which concluded that based on lack of adverse effects, the study be allowed to continue recruitment.

"Medistem is developing a treatment for CHF that uses a 30-minute catheter-based procedure to administer the ERC stem cell into the patients' hearts. The achievement of 2 month patient follow-up with no adverse events is a strong signal for us that our new approach to this terrible condition is feasible," said Thomas Ichim, CEO of Medistem.

The RECOVER-ERC trial will treat a total of 60 patients with end-stage heart failure with three concentrations of ERC stem cells or placebo. The clinical trial is being conducted by Dr. Leo Bockeria, Chairman of the Backulev Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery, in collaboration with Dr. Amit Patel, Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah.

"As a professional drug developer, I am very optimistic of a stem cell product that can be used as a drug. The ERC stem cell can be stored frozen indefinitely, does not need matching with donors, and can be injected in a simple 30-minute procedure into the heart," said Dr. Sergey Sablin, Vice President of Medistem and co-founder of the multi-billion dollar NASDAQ company Medivation.

Currently patients with end-stage heart failure, such as the ones enrolled in the RECOVER-ERC study, have no option except for heart transplantation, which is limited by side effects and lack of donors. In contrast to other stem cells, ERC can be manufactured inexpensively, do not require tissue matching, and can be administered in a minimally-invasive manner. Animal experiments suggest ERC are more potent than other stem cell sources at restoring heart function. The FDA has approved a clinical trial of ERC in treatment of critical limb ischemia in the USA.

About Medistem Inc. Medistem Inc. is a biotechnology company developing technologies related to adult stem cell extraction, manipulation, and use for treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The company's lead product, the endometrial regenerative cell (ERC), is a "universal donor" stem cell being developed for critical limb ischemia and heart failure. A publication describing the support for use of ERC for this condition may be found at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-6-45.pdf.

Cautionary Statement This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. Factors which may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Medistem Achieves Important ERC Stem Cell Clinical Trial Milestone

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Medistem Achieves Important ERC Stem Cell Clinical Trial Milestone

Posted: June 5, 2012 at 12:10 am

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire -06/04/12)- Medistem Inc. (MEDS) announced today positive safety data from the first 5 patients enrolled in the Non-Revascularizable IschEmic Cardiomyopathy treated with Retrograde COronary Sinus Venous DElivery of Cell TheRapy (RECOVER-ERC) trial. The clinical trial uses the company's "Universal Donor" Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC) to treat Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

According to the study design, after 5 patients enter the trial, they must be observed for a two month time period before additional patients are allowed to enter the study. Patient data was analyzed by the study's independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which concluded that based on lack of adverse effects, the study be allowed to continue recruitment.

"Medistem is developing a treatment for CHF that uses a 30-minute catheter-based procedure to administer the ERC stem cell into the patients' hearts. The achievement of 2 month patient follow-up with no adverse events is a strong signal for us that our new approach to this terrible condition is feasible," said Thomas Ichim, CEO of Medistem.

The RECOVER-ERC trial will treat a total of 60 patients with end-stage heart failure with three concentrations of ERC stem cells or placebo. The clinical trial is being conducted by Dr. Leo Bockeria, Chairman of the Backulev Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery, in collaboration with Dr. Amit Patel, Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah.

"As a professional drug developer, I am very optimistic of a stem cell product that can be used as a drug. The ERC stem cell can be stored frozen indefinitely, does not need matching with donors, and can be injected in a simple 30-minute procedure into the heart," said Dr. Sergey Sablin, Vice President of Medistem and co-founder of the multi-billion dollar NASDAQ company Medivation.

Currently patients with end-stage heart failure, such as the ones enrolled in the RECOVER-ERC study, have no option except for heart transplantation, which is limited by side effects and lack of donors. In contrast to other stem cells, ERC can be manufactured inexpensively, do not require tissue matching, and can be administered in a minimally-invasive manner. Animal experiments suggest ERC are more potent than other stem cell sources at restoring heart function. The FDA has approved a clinical trial of ERC in treatment of critical limb ischemia in the USA.

About Medistem Inc. Medistem Inc. is a biotechnology company developing technologies related to adult stem cell extraction, manipulation, and use for treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The company's lead product, the endometrial regenerative cell (ERC), is a "universal donor" stem cell being developed for critical limb ischemia and heart failure. A publication describing the support for use of ERC for this condition may be found at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-6-45.pdf.

Cautionary Statement This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. Factors which may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Some stem cells can trigger tumors

Posted: June 4, 2012 at 11:15 pm

President offers condolences following death of student Michael Curtis Augustin, a 33-year-old undergraduate died June 3 at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. The cause of death is still being determined. (June 4, 2012)

Some stem cells can trigger tumors Adipose-derived stem cells often used in reconstructive surgeries including mastectomies can create a microenvironment suitable for more tumors to grow, researchers report. (June 4, 2012)

Analysis of maize shows genes involved in domestication Two new papers identify genes involved in domestication as well as variations and similarities between domesticated maize and its wild relatives. (June 4, 2012)

New book focuses on Frank Lloyd Wright's Freeman House Associate Professor Jeff Chusid's book 'Saving Wright: The Freeman House and the Preservation of Meaning, Materials, and Modernity' has won a prestigious award. (June 4, 2012)

Four faculty in Arts and Sciences honored The College of Arts and Sciences has awarded Appel fellowships to Lawrence McCrea and Nick Salvato, and Paul Academic Advising Awards to Alison Van Dyke and Dagmawi Woubshet. (June 4, 2012)

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Researchers Testing Stem Cells As Treatment For Stroke Recovery

Posted: June 4, 2012 at 11:15 pm

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Injecting stem cells into the brain of someone who has had a stroke is a hot button issue.

Is it safe? Can it be done?

Thats what researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are trying to find out.

Because these are cells that have not been injected into the brain before, we need to know whether it is safe to do so, UPMC neurologist Dr. Lawrence Wechsler said.

So far, at UPMC, two people have received injections of stem cells from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors.

Roger Hill is one of them.

In August 2009, he woke up with a stroke. The first thing he noticed was his vision. He couldnt see half of his world and then his left side left him.

Something happened with my left leg. I fell down, he said. I couldnt feel my left knee.

The problem was in the brain.

A stroke most commonly happens because of a blocked artery. Part of the brain dies from a lack of oxygen and blood flow. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability.

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Researchers Testing Stem Cells As Treatment For Stroke Recovery

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Cell transplantation of lung stem cells has beneficial impact for emphysema

Posted: June 4, 2012 at 11:15 pm

Public release date: 4-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve Celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 4, 2012) When autologous (self-donated) lung-derived mensenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) were transplanted endoscopically into 13 adult female sheep modeled with emphysema, post-transplant evaluation showed evidence of tissue regeneration with increased blood perfusion and extra cellular matrix content. Researchers concluded that their approach could represent a practical alternative to conventional stem cell-based therapy for treating emphysema.

The study is published in Cell Transplantation (21:1), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"Mensenchymal stem cells are considered for transplantation because they are readily available, highly proliferative and display multi-lineage potential," said study corresponding author Dr. Edward P. Ingenito of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. "Although MSCs have been isolated from various adult tissues - including fat, liver and lung tissues - cells derived from bone marrow (BM) have therapeutic utility and may be useful in treating advanced lung diseases, such as emphysema."

However, according to the authors, previous transplantation studies, many of which used an intravenous delivery method, have shown that BM-MSCs have been only marginally successful in treating lung diseases. Further, therapeutic responses in those studies have been limited to animal models of inflammatory lung diseases, such as asthma and acute lung injury.

To try and answer the questions surrounding the utility of BM-MSCs for treating advanced emphysema, a disease characterized by tissue destruction and loss of lung structural integrity, for this study the researchers isolated highly proliferative, mensenchymal cells from adult lung parenchyma (functional tissue) (LMSCs) and used an endoscopic delivery system coupled with a scaffold comprised of natural extracellular matrix components.

"LMSCs display efficient retention in the lung when delivered endobronchially and have regenerative capacity through expression of basement membrane proteins and growth factors," explained Dr. Ingenito.

However, despite the use of autologous cells, only a fraction of the LMSCs delivered to the lungs alveolar compartment appeared to engraft. Cell death likely occurred because of the failure of LMSCs to home to and bind within their niche, perhaps because the niche was modified by inflammation or fibrosis. These cells are attachment-dependent and failure to attach results in cell death."

Their findings did suggest, however, that LMSCs were capable of contributing to lung remodeling leading to documented functional improvement rather than scarring 28 days post transplantation.

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Mature liver cells may be better than stem cells for liver cell transplantation therapy

Posted: June 4, 2012 at 11:15 pm

Public release date: 4-Jun-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: David Eve celltransplantation@gmail.com Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (June 4, 2012) After carrying out a study comparing the repopulation efficiency of immature hepatic stem/progenitor cells and mature hepatocytes transplanted into liver-injured rats, a research team from Sapporo, Japan concluded that mature hepatocytes offered better repopulation efficiency than stem/progenitor cells.

Until day 14 post-transplantation, the growth of the stem/progenitor cells was faster than the mature hepatocytes, but after two weeks most of the stem/progenitor cells had died. However, the mature hepatocytes continued to survive and proliferate one year after their implantation.

The study is published in Cell Transplantation (21:1), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

"Cell-based therapies as an alternative to liver transplantation to treat liver disease have shown promise," said study corresponding author Dr. Toshihiro Mitaka of the Cancer Research Institute of the Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. "However, the repopulation efficiency of two candidate cell sources - hepatic progenitor/stem cells and mature hepatocytes - had not been comprehensively assessed and questions concerning the efficiency of each needed to be resolved."

The researchers noted that the shortage of cell sources and the difficulties of cryopreservation have limited the clinical application of cell based therapies. Stem or progenitor cells have been considered candidate cells because they can expand in vitro and can be cryopreserved for a long time.

However, after transplantation into liver injured rats, the researchers found that stem/progenitor cells did not survive well and most of the transplanted cells had disappeared within two months. In contrast, the mature hepatocytes gradually repopulated the rat livers and continued doing so past one year.

The researchers noted that the sizes of the hepatocytes were not uniform.

"Unexpectedly, the small hepatocytes repopulated significantly less well than the larger ones," explained Dr. Mitaka. "We also found that serial transplantation did not enhance nor diminish the repopulation capacity of the cells to any significant degree."

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