The supply of blood for patients and emergencies has always fluctuated. Generally it is dependent on adequate donations from the public. A more dependable source would be useful. While local and temporary blood shortages have occurred periodically, the nation’s blood supply generally is considered adequate. There is also a problem of genetic compatibility. In a neat bit of cellular wizardry, human skin cells have been turned into blood cells. A donor could then supply blood cells d=from his own skin cells and this about compatibility issues. The research could have huge implications for blood-related diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, and could also eventually lead to new treatments for other types of tissues inside the human body. If skin can be made into blood why now not other cells?
The supply of blood for patients and emergencies has always fluctuated. Generally it is dependent on adequate donations from the public. A more dependable source would be useful. While local and temporary blood shortages have occurred periodically, the nation’s blood supply generally is considered adequate. There is also a problem of genetic compatibility. In a neat bit of cellular wizardry, human skin cells have been turned into blood cells. A donor could then supply blood cells d=from his own skin cells and this about compatibility issues. The research could have huge implications for blood-related diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, and could also eventually lead to new treatments for other types of tissues inside the human body. If skin can be made into blood why now not other cells?
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"There is an incredible need clinically to generate red blood cells," said Mick Bhatia, a scientist at McMaster University in Canada and co-author of the study in the journal Nature. "But I think it will also expand the idea that skin cells could be directly turned into other cell types."
Stem cells also have been used for this purpose but were objected to due to the source (embryonic tissue). Perhaps this source of ordinary skin will be less objectionable.
The experiment was straightforward: The Canadian scientists first harvested skin cells from several human volunteers. The researchers then exposed those cells to a virus. The virus injected a gene, known as OCT4, into the skin cells. OCT4 encodes a protein that acts as a kind of switchboard to activate other genes in order to make different kinds of cells.
Bathed in a solution filled with cytokines, molecules that stimulate the immune system, the skin cells then transformed into blood cells.
The skin-derived blood also contained all three classes of blood cells: white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Furthermore, all three classes seemed to function like normal adult blood cells.
This development could have huge implications in a number of fields, such as cancer research, said Christine Williams, Director of Research at the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute.
"Like everyone else, we are pretty excited about this result," said Williams. "It could have a tremendous impact on cancer patients, particularly those with leukemia, lymphoma or undergoing chemotherapy." All those with a constant need fro fresh blood would now have an instant compatible alternate supply to either supplement or act as the whole blood supply.
Chemotherapy devastates a patient's blood, often so profoundly that the treatment must be temporarily suspended so the patient can recover. During this lull, the cancer can roar back stronger than ever.
Replenishing their bodies with fresh blood could help patients recover at a faster rate than would be possible today.
In spite of the promise of the new technique, it will not be used in medical practice for at least several years. This research was done in the lab, but the Canadian scientists hope that to begin clinical trials within the next three to four years.
You might be surprised to find out that the skin is the single largest body organ. Look down at your hands for a minute. Even though you can't see anything happening, your epidermis is hard at work. At the bottom of the epidermis, new skin cells are forming and move to the top in 2 to 4 weeks.
For further information: http://news.discovery.com/tech/skin-blood-cells.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1
