Researchers at McMaster University's Stem Cell and Cancer Research
Institute (Hamilton, ON) have made significant steps forward in understanding the stem
cells of the human blood system after discovering how a key protein
allows for better control and regeneration of these cells.
This discovery, published today in the scientific journal Nature, illustrates how a protein called Musashi-2 regulates the function and development of important blood stem cells.
The research team specifically looked at stem cells from umbilical
cord blood, a proven but under-utilized source of stem cells for the
treatment of adult blood cancers. These stem cells have the potential to
become an important therapeutic for the thousands of people suffering
from blood cancers who are awaiting the life-saving transplants.
Cells from umbilical cord blood have unique properties that make
them easier to use for transplantation, including accessibility and
adaptability. As a result, they allow for safer and more effective
transplants. The problem, is that there are very few stem cells
available in individual cord blood samples, only about five per cent
of all samples actually contain enough cells for a transplant. The
team's research into the importance of Musashi-2 and its role in
expanding the number of stem cells in a given cord blood sample could
help ease the current stem cell shortages.
"Most stem cell studies focus on proteins that bind DNA to control
gene output. The prominent role we found for Musashi-2, a protein that
instead binds to RNA, also underscores an urgency to study this second
layer of gene regulation in stem cells."
Hope says: "Providing enhanced numbers of stem cells for
transplantation could alleviate some of the current post-transplantation
complications and allow for faster recoveries, in turn reducing overall
health care costs and wait times for newly diagnosed patients seeking
treatment."
"By expanding the stem cells as we have done, many more donated samples could now be used for transplants."
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