Posted on 01/26/2007 10:05:49 PM PST by neverdem
Vol. 315. no. 5811, pp. 482 - 486 DOI: 10.1126/science.1133542
Genetically matched pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells generated via nuclear transfer or parthenogenesis (pES cells) are a potential source of histocompatible cells and tissues for transplantation. After parthenogenetic activation of murine oocytes and interruption of meiosis I or II, we isolated and genotyped pES cells and characterized those that carried the full complement of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens of the oocyte donor. Differentiated tissues from these pES cells engrafted in immunocompetent MHC-matched mouse recipients, demonstrating that selected pES cells can serve as a source of histocompatible tissues for transplantation.
This PDF file includes: Materials and Methods Figs. S1 to S11 Table S1 References
It seems they're still getting teratomas. Here's another abstract followed by comments that directed me to it.
Asymmetric Inheritance of Mother Versus Daughter Centrosome in Stem Cell Division
Adult stem cells often divide asymmetrically to produce one self-renewed stem cell and one differentiating cell, thus maintaining both populations. The asymmetric outcome of stem cell divisions can be specified by an oriented spindle and local self-renewal signals from the stem cell niche. Here we show that developmentally programmed asymmetric behavior and inheritance of mother and daughter centrosomes underlies the stereotyped spindle orientation and asymmetric outcome of stem cell divisions in the Drosophila male germ line. The mother centrosome remains anchored near the niche while the daughter centrosome migrates to the opposite side of the cell before spindle formation.
Science 26 January 2007: Vol. 315. no. 5811, p. 433 DOI: 10.1126/science.315.5811.433o
This Week in Science
In Drosophila, male germline stem cells orient the mitotic spindle to generate a daughter stem cell and a cell destined for germ cell differentiation after asymmetric cell division. Using gene mutation and ultra-structural studies, Yamashita et al. (p. 518; see the Perspective by Spradling and Zheng) now identify the mechanism by which the oriented spindle is established. The mother and daughter centrosomes are differentially oriented, with the mother centrosome anchored close to the niche-stem cell junction by microtubules, whereas the daughter centrosome migrates to the other side of the cell. This differential centrosome identity and migration may provide a mechanism for asymmetric cell division in the generation of daughter cells with different developmental fates.
SC PING
I could have told them that.
They won't be happy until they create a mouseman.
In essense, finding the appropriate stem cell variant is like riding a subway train. You have to make your departure at the right station.
Eventually, as the mechanics of this progression are worked out, we will come to the capability of extracting the necessary genetic information from the patient, incubating the appropriate cells, and re-introducing the "new" tissues to replace the old.
After which, real genetic gerontology will become a growth industry.
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