Researchers from England have been able to transform skin cells into liver cells - a feat that could have major implications for those fighting Hepatitis C.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

While much political controversy has surrounded stem cell therapy in the past, many fail to recognize that the ethical issues surrounding this field typically apply only to embryonic stem cells. However, embryonic stem cells are not the only kind of therapeutic stem cell. A breakthrough in stem cell technology occurred in 2006, when scientists created a new category of stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By conducting iPSC research, investigators from England have identified a potentially new method of studying the Hepatitis C virus, testing Hepatitis C medications and repairing a liver ravaged by Hepatitis C.

Stem cells have the potential to cure many human diseases because they are:

· Blank - they can become any cell in the human body
· Regenerative - they can be used as a live source of self-repair

About iPSCs
Induced pluripotent stem cells are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to be in an embryonic stem cell-like state. Although more research is needed, iPSCs are proving to be useful tools for drug development and modeling of diseases. In the near future, scientists hope to use induced pluripotent stem cells in transplantation medicine.

When it comes to the future of this technology for liver transplantation, iPSCs have an advantage over traditional liver transplants. This advantage is due to the stem cells being harvested from the same person they are reintroduced to, thus avoiding rejection by the immune system. The main strength of iPSCs is that they can help scientists learn how to reprogram cells to repair damaged tissues in the human body.

About the English Research
Researchers from the University of Cambridge in England have managed to convert skin from individuals with metabolic diseases into liver cells using iPSC technology. According to an article published in the September 2010 edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, this research will allow scientists to determine precisely what is happening in a diseased liver cell, and then try out potential treatments. The scientists say that, eventually, properly functioning liver cells might be transplanted back into patients with liver diseases.

In this research, scientists took small skin samples from patients with liver disease and healthy individuals. The skin cells were then reprogrammed to become induced pluripotent stem cells. The iPSCs were then used to generate customized liver cells that mimicked that person's liver disease. The authors believe that this discovery will lead to tailored treatments for specific patients, and eventually cell-based therapy, where the patient's own cells are harvested, cured and then transplanted back.

About Hepatitis C
In the U.S. alone, an estimated four to five million people are currently living with chronic Hepatitis C infection. If unable to eliminate the virus, those infected can progress to advanced liver disease. In America, Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplants - the only curative therapy for end stage liver disease. Unfortunately, there is a severe donor organ shortage. This shortage has fueled the search for alternatives to conventional liver transplants.

Even though iPSCs have a long way to go before they are ready to replace liver transplant surgery, molecular biologists believe stem cell technology is closing in on this reality. This research from England gives those hoping to cure Hepatitis C reason to believe in the not-so-futuristic evolution of regenerative medicine - where shedding a bit of skin could potentially be the source of their recovery.

References:

http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics1.asp, Stem Cell Basics, Retrieved September 4, 2010, National Institutes of Health, 2010.

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/pecorino2.html, Stem Cells for Cell-based Therapies, Lauren Pecorino, PhD, Retrieved September 4, 2010, actionbioscience.org, 2010.

http://www.jci.org/articles/view/43122?search[abstract_text]=&search[article_text]=&search[authors_text]=Rashid&search[fpage]=&search[issue]=&search[title_text]=&search[volume]=, ling inherited metabolic disorders of the liver using human induced pluripotent stem cells, S. Tamir Rashid, et al, Retrieved September 4, 2010, Journal of Clinical Investigation, September 2010.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198967.php, Skin Converted Into Liver Cells - Potential Cell-based Therapy For Patients With Liver And Other Diseases, Retrieved September 4, 2010, MediLexicon International Ltd, 2010.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/08August/Pages/grow-new-liver-cells-stem-cell-technology.aspx, Stem Cells Converted to Liver Cells, Retrieved September 4, 2010, NHS, 2010.

http://www.sage-hindawi.com/journals/sci/2010/259461.html, Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Liver Diseases: State of the Art and New Perspectives, Anna Chiara Piscaglia, et al, Retrieved September 4, 2010, Stem Cells International, July 2010.

http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2010/09/new_stem_cell_t.html?eml=hepcen115

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