Replacement organs from stem cells: one more step

A functional organ was grown from induced stem cells
Stemcells.RuThe ability of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to differentiate into cells of all three germ leaves is well documented.

Now a group of Japanese scientists from the Nara Medical University have managed to grow a complex and functional "organ" like a gut from iPSCs in vitro. This "gut" demonstrated the ability to spontaneous contraction and highly coordinated peristaltic activity, thanks to which its contents were promoted. The "gut" has a wide lumen surrounded by three layers of tissue – epithelium, connective tissue and musculature. Immunologically, characteristic markers of interstitial cells were identified, which formed a dense network in the inner wall. Immunoreactive neurofilaments forming large ganglion structures and dense neural network were also detected. Thus, the "gut" was formed by cells of all three germ leaves — endoderm (intestinal epithelium), mesoderm (smooth muscles and connective tissue) and ectoderm (intestinal neurons).

This is the first report on the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro into a functional "organ". This work will make it possible to better understand the mechanisms of severe intestinal diseases, and will also make it possible to use patient-specific iPSCs for cell therapy of these diseases.

The research materials are presented in the article Ueda T, et al. Generation of functional gut-like organ from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Nov 4. [Epub ahead of print]

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru24.11.2009