Scientists in Scotland have created, for the first time, an agency from scratch within an animal. A thymus – an important part of the immune system. – Mouse was generated artificially in a guinea pig
The experiment, described in the journal “Nature Cell Biology”, can help pave the way for alternatives to organ transplantation .
The scientists said that the result was promising, but there is still no date for the start of the experiment in humans.
Experiment
The thymus is a lymphatic gland located near the heart where they grow important components of the immune system, called T lymphocytes, which fight infections.
To conduct the research, scientists from the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine University of Edinburgh harvested cells from an embryo of a mouse.
These cells were genetically “reprogrammed” and began to turn into a type of cell present in the thymus.
Scientists then mixed with other such cells and inserted into a mouse.
Once inside the test subject, this group of cells has been developed and formed a fully functional thymus.
Result is similar to that achieved last year, when brains created in laboratory reached the same level of development of a fetus of nine weeks.
The thymus is a relatively simple organ and, in experiments conducted by scientists, remained all its normal functions. Structurally, the body contained two major regions – the cortex and medulla -. Producing T lymphocytes and also
‘Exciting’
Clare Blackburn, who was part of the group research, said it was “tremendously exciting” when the team realized what he had discovered.
“We were all surprised to be able to generate an organ 100% functional starting with reprogrammed cells in a very simple way,” said Blackburn the BBC.
“It was a very important advance. Our discovery is also very encouraging in terms of research related to regenerative medicine.”
According to scholars, the discovery could help patients need a bone marrow transplant or newborns with problems in the thymus.
Seniors also could benefit from the research. With advancing age, the thymus decreases in size, which reduces the ability of the immune system and, consequently, increases the vulnerability of the individual to disease.
However, scientists say there are still obstacles to be overcome before the research can be done in humans.
The current technique uses embryos. This means developing a thymus that may be incompatible with the patient’s tissues.
Researchers also need to make sure that the transplanted cells do not grow uncontrollably, progressing to cancer.
Robin Lovell-Badge of the National Institute for Medical Research in the UK, described the study as “excellent.”
“This is an important achievement both to demonstrate how to make a body from scratch, even simple, as the fundamental role of the thymus in immune system development. “
however, adds,” the methods used do not seem to have applicability in humans. “
Advances
The field of regenerative medicine is evolving rapidly.
There are already patients with blood vessels, bladders and windpipes created in the lab. These artificial organs are created from cells in a temporary structure that is then implanted.
The thymus created by scientists required only one injection of cells.
Paolo de Coppi, one of pioneer in regenerative therapies at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “Research like these demonstrate that the engineered organs may in the future replace transplants”
“The creation of relatively simple organs has already been adopted in. a small group of patients and it is possible that within the next five years, more complex organs can be created using specialized cells derived from stem cells in a similar manner to that described in the research. “
But, caveat , “it is not known whether, in the long run, the cells generated from direct reprogramming will be able to keep your specialized way and avoid problems such as the formation of tumors.”
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