Double the Stem Cell - InvitRx Stem Cells

Researchers finding new forms of stem cells.

Researchers from the University of Queensland have wound back the clock even further and discovered a new type of dual stem cell that can produce certain tissues with built-in.

Originally, the scientists set out to isolate endothelial progenitors – cells that give rise to blood vessel cells – from the placenta.  The team tried to grow specialized placental cells then they realized that mesenchymal cell types that lead to bone, cartilage and fat cells were appearing in the mix.

"We first thought it was a mistake and our isolation process was not pure enough and somehow our endothelial cells were getting contaminated by mesenchymal cells," Kiarash Khosrotehrani, corresponding author of the study, tells New Atlas. "But despite our best efforts in cleaning up the isolation we noticed that some endothelial progenitors were also giving rise to mesenchymal cells. Finally to have definitive proof that this was not contamination, we isolated and observed placental cells one by one. In this single cell environment there is no contamination."

The placental cells produced both mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitors leading researchers to name them "meso-endothelial stem cells". These stem cells can essential perform two functions for the price of one instead of being harvested and spun together.

The team is focusing on the cardiovascular benefits "blood vessels are made of both endothelial cells and surrounded by mesenchymal cells," 

 

"Unfortunately, the scientists don't yet know how to create the right culture to keep the cells alive in vitro for very long, so the cells need to be used shortly after isolation from the placenta. For now, the UQ researchers are working on using meso-endothelial cells to grow new blood vessels for newborns suffering cerebral ischema, a condition where blood flow to the brain is reduced."