Cells could be exploited to treat osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
A stem cell capable of regenerating both bone and cartilage has been identified in bone marrow of mice. The discovery by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) is reported today in the online issue of the journal Cell.
The cells, called osteochondroreticular (OCR) stem cells, were discovered by tracking a protein expressed by the cells. Using this marker, the researchers found that OCR cells self-renew and generate key bone and cartilage cells, including osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Researchers also showed that OCR stem cells, when transplanted to a fracture site, contribute to bone repair.
“We are now trying to figure out whether we can persuade these cells to specifically regenerate after injury. If you make a fracture in the mouse, these cells will come alive again, generate both bone and cartilage in the mouse—and repair the fracture. The question is, could this happen in humans,” says Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at CUMC and a senior author of the study.
The researchers believe that OCR stem cells will be found in human bone tissue, as mice and humans have similar bone biology. Further study could provide greater understanding of how to prevent and treat osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or bone fractures.
“Our findings raise the possibility that drugs or other therapies can be developed to stimulate the production of OCR stem cells and improve the body’s ability to repair bone injury—a process that declines significantly in old age,” says Timothy C. Wang, MD, the Dorothy L. and Daniel H. Silberberg Professor of Medicine at CUMC, who initiated this research. Previously, Dr. Wang found an analogous stem cell in the intestinal tract and observed that it was also abundant in the bone.
Read more: Bone stem cells shown to regenerate bone and cartilage in adult mice
The Latest on: Bone stem cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Bone stem cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Bone stem cells
- Tauranga teen needs stem cell transplant for rare diseaseon April 26, 2024 at 9:30 am
A Tauranga family is moving to Italy so their son can receive treatment for a rare disease. Sixteen-year-old Daniel Patterson was born with Wiskott-Aldrich-Syndrome (WAS) – a rare genetic ...
- Irregular bone marrow cells may increase heart disease riskon April 26, 2024 at 4:00 am
Over time, bone marrow stem cells develop key genetic errors and pass them on to immune cells. This may increase the risk of developing heart disease.
- NMDP to Present New Stem Cell Transplantation Data at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meetingon April 24, 2024 at 7:42 am
NMDP℠, a global nonprofit leader in cell therapy, and CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) will present new data on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) ...
- Stem Cell Magic: Scientists Unveil New Superhero for Healing Diabetes Woundson April 23, 2024 at 10:13 am
Researchers unveiled a novel therapy for diabetic wound healing. The new research highlights the use of exosomal miR-4645-5p from hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to significantly ...
- Young New Orleans sickle cell patient is leaving pain behind after a bone marrow transplanton April 22, 2024 at 5:44 am
At only 12 years old, Kelsey Farris already has endured periods of searing pain, endless rounds of medical tests and several lengthy stays at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. But ...
- UAE: Now, Needy Patients Can Get Bone Marrow Transplant In Abu Dhabion April 19, 2024 at 12:13 pm
The life-saving procedure of a bone marrow transplant, which comes with a hefty price tag, has been made accessible to underprivileged patients. Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC) and Emirates Red ...
- New gene therapy eliminates need for bone marrow transplant. Here's how it works.on April 18, 2024 at 8:08 pm
A young Long Island boy is the first in New York state to undergo a new gene therapy for a rare blood disease.
- The Bone-Marrow-Transplant Revolutionon April 18, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Finding a matched donor has always been the major challenge. A drug has solved that problem.
- Yerevan Man Donates Stem Cells to Help Save His Sister’s Lifeon April 18, 2024 at 12:40 pm
On April 10, a Yerevan resident, Garik Petrosyan, donated bone marrow stem cells for an urgent transplant that might help her sister survive a life-threatening blood-related illness. ...
- Stem cell donors needed for baby Ziphozenkosion April 18, 2024 at 6:43 am
The German Bone Marrow Donor Centre, known as DKMS, has urged the public to become blood stem cell donors to help a one-year-old baby live a full life. Little Ziphozenkosi, from Durban in ...
via Bing News