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Betterhumans, Canada Cross-species Stem Cell Transplantation Holds Promise for Treating Brain Disorders Dwayne Hunter Betterhumans Staff Friday, June 20, 2003, 1:38:20 PM CT Stem cells have been found that can be successfully transplanted from one species to another without immune system rejection, a discovery that could bring stem cell treatments for brain disorders closer. Researchers from Kansas State University, publishing in the journal Experimental Neurology (read abstract), report that they have xenotransplanted umbilical cord matrix stem cells from a pig into the brain of a rat without the rejection of the foreign cells by the rat's immune system. Umbilical cord matrix stem cells are extracted from a material called Wharton's jelly, a gelatinous connective tissue that helps maintain the umbilical cord's structure and protect its blood vessels. While they aren't sure why or how, the researchers found that the transplanted cells survived for six weeks undetected, without rejection and without the use of any drugs to suppress an immune response. Developed into brain cells It is common for the immune system to reject foreign cells, especially those from other species, and the response poses serious limitations on the success of cell and organ transplants -- especially xenotransplants. To counteract immune system rejection, patients are usually put on immunosuppressive therapy. But often, complications arise from immune suppression or from secondary effects of immunosupressive drugs. Something about stem cells from pig umbilical cord matrix, however, allows them to be ignored by the immune system. And because a subset of the transplanted stem cells respond to the chemical environment of the brain and develop into cells commonly found in the nervous system, they could eventually be used to treat human brain disorders. "Specifically, the umbilical cord matrix cell source may offer us a basis for treating nervous system disorders like Parkinson's disease," says neuroscientist and study first author Mark Weiss. As evidence from previous studies http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2003-01-17-5 shows that human umbilical cord matrix cells can differentiate into nervous system tissue, Kansas State researchers are now extending the findings to test human transplant suitability. SOURCE: Betterhumans, Canada http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2003-06-20-3 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn