AIDS - Possible to
Manufacture T-cells From Embryonic Stem Cells - UCLA Scientists Say Gene
Therapy May Be Used To Fight HIV
July 9th 2006
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T-cells |
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Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have
been able “coax” stem cells into becoming T-cells. T-cells are a type
of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system.
The scientists say that if T-cells could be manufactured this could
provide a powerful weapon against AIDS and other immune disorders and
diseases. At the core of their research are the stem cells which have
the ability to transform themselves into a variety of cells.
First the scientists cultured human embryonic stem cells. These cells
were then incubated on mouse bone marrow support cells, which in turn
converted them into blood forming cells. They then injected the cells a
human thymus gland that had been implanted into a mouse.
Amazingly the thymus changed these blood-forming cells into T-cells.
Jerome Zack, associate director of the UCLA AIDS Institute and co-author
of the study, believes it is possible to decipher the signals that
control the development of embryonic stem cells into mature T-cells.
The thymus is located above the heart in humans. This is where the
T-cells are developed, and over time it gradually shrinks in adults
weakening the immune system.
This is the first time that scientists have been able to derive T-cells
out of human embryonic stem cells. It is hoped that this research could
lead to a gene therapy to treat HIV and cases of severe immunodeficiency
(bubble boy disease).
Zoran Galic, assistant research biologist, and lead researcher on the
study said, "This tells you that you may be able to use human embryonic
stem cells to treat T-cell
and other blood diseases. This could be a very important weapon in the
fight against AIDS." The
research appears in the July 3rd online issue of the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dan Wilson
Best Syndication
Books on the Immune System
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