BY CHRIS WOOD, GIZMAG MEDICAL, FEBRUARY 05, 2016.

Scientists have used stem cells for everything from regrowing corneas to inducing the heart to repair itself, and it might even be possible to use them to heal damaged lungs. Now, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center have, for the first time, successfully identified a population of stem cells capable of inducing the repair of bones in the skull and face.

The researchers, led by Professor of Biomedical Genetics Wei Hsu, began their work with the goal of gaining a better understanding of a condition called craniosynostosis. A skull deformity in infants, the condition can slow development in affected children and can even be life-threatening, causing increased pressure on the brain.

Bones in the head develop differently to those in the rest of the body, with an entirely different set of stem cells responsible for the growth. Up until now, we’ve not been able to isolate the cell population responsible for instigating bone growth and repair in the skull and facial bones, making it difficult to treat conditions such as craniosynostosis.

In an effort to change that, the University of Rochester team turned to a gene known as Axin2, which they were drawn to thanks to its unique expression pattern. After carefully studying a population of Axin2-expressing cells located in a suture in the skull, and following a series of tests on mice, the researchers were able to confirm long-term self-renewing, cloning and differentiating abilities.

In short, they confirmed that cells within Axin2-expressing populations were, by definition, stem cells, with the ability to instigate bone development, repair and regeneration.

Though significant testing will be required before human trials could be considered, the successful identification of stem cells capable of skull formation and craniofacial bone repair is a huge step. The research opens the door to using stem cells for facial bone reconstruction, providing real hope for patients suffering from dangerous conditions such as craniosynotosis.

The research is published in the journal Nature Communications

Read More…

CategoryUncategorized
  1. October 1, 2016

    I definitely wanted to jot down a small remark to be able to express gratitude to you for some of the magnificent concepts you are sharing on this site. My time consuming internet research has at the end of the day been rewarded with really good facts to share with my partners. I ‘d mention that we visitors are undoubtedly fortunate to dwell in a remarkable place with so many perfect professionals with insightful concepts. I feel really lucky to have discovered your web site and look forward to really more fabulous minutes reading here. Thanks once more for all the details.

  2. October 2, 2016

    Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I鎶I am going to watch out for brussels. I鎶 be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  3. Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

  4. May 7, 2023

    Your article made me suddenly realize that I am writing a thesis on gate.io. After reading your article, I have a different way of thinking, thank you. However, I still have some doubts, can you help me? Thanks.

  5. I am a website designer. Recently, I am designing a website template about gate.io. The boss’s requirements are very strange, which makes me very difficult. I have consulted many websites, and later I discovered your blog, which is the style I hope to need. thank you very much. Would you allow me to use your blog style as a reference? thank you!

  6. May 25, 2023

    I may need your help. I’ve been doing research on gate io recently, and I’ve tried a lot of different things. Later, I read your article, and I think your way of writing has given me some innovative ideas, thank you very much.

  7. June 2, 2023

    The point of view of your article has taught me a lot, and I already know how to improve the paper on gate.oi, thank you. https://www.gate.io/ru/signup/XwNAU

  8. Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://accounts.binance.com/lv/register?ref=IJFGOAID

  9. November 30, 2023

    Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi

  10. January 7, 2024

    Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://www.binance.info/de-CH/join?ref=FIHEGIZ8

  11. January 7, 2024

    Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me. https://www.binance.com/cs/join?ref=PORL8W0Z

  12. February 4, 2024

    Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://accounts.binance.com/tr/register?ref=JHQQKNKN

  13. February 25, 2024

    Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me? https://www.binance.info/zh-TC/join?ref=DB40ITMB

  14. Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!

Write a comment:

Cancel reply

*

Your email address will not be published.