Combination stem cell and gene therapy yields some success in mouse model of MD.The combination of stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. and gene therapy partially restored lost muscle in mice with a disease similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) The most severe form of muscular dystrophy, DMD usually affects young boys and causes progressive muscle weakness, usually beginning in the legs. (MD), according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. scientists at the University of Pittsburgh (PA). The researchers used stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young from the animals' own muscle tissue to deliver a normal gene intended to correct the defect underlying Duchenne MD. The strategy produced some normal muscle fibers in the mice, although not enough to reverse the disease. Nonetheless, the team said that improving upon this technique could lead to a way to fight Duchenne MD, which almost exclusively effects males and causes muscle weakness, deterioration, and early death. The findings were presented earlier this month in Washington, DC at the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion