Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. New research findings represent a step towards the use of adult stem cells (ASCs) to repair damaged tissue. Scientists have uncovered a messaging system that instructs ASCs to contribute to tissue repair in response to chemical signals in the body. The work holds hope for the development of techniques by which ASCs could be instructed to repair damaged tissues. Using ASCs avoids many of the ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells.

At present it is necessary to gain a better understanding of first principles. ASCs can be controlled based on signalling systems that normally give instructions within the body. There is the potential in the future to apply such understanding to the generation of cells for transplant.

 

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Tissue injury presents a substantial burden to clinical and socioeconomic systems. Promoting repair and functional recovery is a major goal of medical science. This diagram illustrates the tissues being studied as part of the tissue regeneration research underway within the University of Manchester.

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In PDGF receptor signalling, receptors on the surface of the MSCs receive messages in the form of molecules that are involved in directing human growth and development — 'growth factors'. It has been found that there is a complex messaging system that relays and coordinates the signals from certain growth factors to the MSCs, which encourage their recruitment to new blood vessels. This involves cooperation between two types of receptor called 'PDGF receptor' and 'neuropilin-1' that respond to growth factors called PDGF and VEGF-A arriving at the cell surface, as well as sensing close proximity to other cells that make up the blood vessel.

 

As well as offering insights into the use of ASCs for tissue repair therapies, a better knowledge of how blood vessels develop is crucial to understanding and treating a huge range of diseases such as cancer, diabetic retinopathy and cardiovascular disease.

 

Professor Kielty said: "What we have shown is that adult stem cells respond in particular ways to some of the chemical signals in the body. The next stage will be to understand how this messaging system regulates relocation of the MSCs and instructs them to become blood vessel cells. After that, we can look at applying our understanding to develop stem-cell derived therapies for tissue repair."

 

This work was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), a participant in the UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN). The UKNSCN secretariat receives financial support from four of the UK Research Councils, the: (1) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC); (2) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); and the MRC.