Posted on 06/13/2006 7:40:06 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SEATTLE - Scientists at the University of Washington are optimistic that they've made what they call meaningful progress toward learning how to repair damaged human livers with stem cells.
If the experimental work continues successfully in the years to come, the technique could one day repair livers badly damaged by drug overdoses, hepatitis and alcoholism.
The UW research was reported in this week's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"I think it's a significant first step," Dr. Nelson Fausto, chairman of the university's Department of Pathology, told The Seattle Times.
For the first time, a team of UW researchers, led by Fausto, isolated liver stem cells from human fetuses. The researchers grew them in the laboratory for months and infused them in laboratory mice, where they replaced thousands of dead liver cells.
The technique uses stem cells from aborted fetuses. So money for the research isn't covered by the ban on federal funding for work using stem cells taken from embryos.
In August 2001, President Bush, citing ethical questions, announced that federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research is limited to existing stem-cell lines.
The UW researchers isolated liver stem cells from aborted fetuses that were donated to research.
The university's team also manipulated the stem cells with special laboratory cultures to become cells of the bile duct, cartilage, fat, bone and blood vessels.
"We found a bunch of cells with this tremendous capacity to differentiate," Fausto said.
Dr. Eric Lagasse, a University of Pittsburgh expert on liver stem cells, told The Times that the UW research was important because the scientists were able to both isolate the liver stem cells and grow them into basic liver and bile-duct cells.
The research by Fausto and his colleagues was financed by the National Institutes of Health.
The UW team used chemicals to separate the stem cells from 2-.to 4-month-old fetal livers, which are more likely to have the so-called progenitor cells than are adult livers.
"It was a delight when we saw these cells were capable of (partially) repopulating the damaged liver," Fausto said.
Fausto said the researchers "gained tremendous understanding of human embryology, cell origins and how the liver is put together" from the research.
fyi
Cannibalism ... I must say, though, that the man's last name is ironic.
Meanwhile, adult stem cells have almost 100 uses and really do make people better. But, by all means, let's pump billions toward the stuff that has "potential".
I'm torn here. As someone who had My liver replaced four and a half years ago due to complications from Wilson's Disease, progress in treating bad livers naturally catches My attention. I don't understand stem cell issues enough to be informed about it. I don't agree with embryo farming though.
Actually, they can cause cancer with embryonic stem cells but that's about it.
I hear you as far as being torn and as to farming.. Glad to have ya here with us , btw ..
This will be interesting to say the least as to whether tangible results are in evidence here or hope is warranted.
I get why you say what you say, and the article, as well, does not help the cause. Fact is, many totally innocent people, even children have liver diseases.
You've been blessed. Glad to hear you are doing well.
I won't be too surprised if, in the not too distant future, 'they' devise a way to take some of the liver patient's own bone marrow and tweak it so that it grows into a brand-new liver for him. No embryo-farming needed and no rejection issues, either.
This is great to know. I think I'll go get another glass of wine.
More Cannibalism
The US Government may not be funding the research in Seattle; however they are funding cannibalsim programs elsewhere.
The research here in New Jersey is being funded by the United States, morals-and-values Government
Stem Cell Innovations Produces Human Stem Cells; for Use in Government Funded Laboratories
That wouldn't have helped in My case. My DNA would have set up another faulty liver . Through the transplant process, I now have a healthy ,normal,liver that produces the enzyme that gets rid of the over accumulation of copper. My old liver never did that. Most everybody else's does. It's a genetic deal. I'm totally healthy now. I no longer have the Wilson's Disease with the new liver.Take a nominal dose of medicine twice a day...I'm good to go. I'm truly blessed.
BUMP & a PING
Fascinating ... I learn something new every day. Glad you're OK.
Happy to hear your're doing so well.
"Fox News' Catherine Herridge donates part of liver to newborn son
Fox News Correspondent Catherine Herridge underwent surgery earlier this week to donate part of her liver to her son Peter. Since his birth four months ago, Peter had been on the liver transplant list due to a rare, deadly liver disease. The surgery went well according to Catherine's husband, Jeff Miller.
"It was all a success... little Peter is now finished... and will be moved to the ICU if not there already... Catherine is doing extremely well and she is in the other hospital ICU... doctors said it went very well."
Both mother and son will continue to be observed by doctors in the coming months. We wish the family the very best."
http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2006/06/fox_news_cather.html
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