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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 30, 2014 12:15 PM IST
A study published in the journal Nature revealed the world's first lab-grown mini-stomachs that were build using pluripotent stem cells .
The lab-grown stomachs are tiny clusters of human gastric tissue called gastric organoids. They are a mini-version of the stomach developed from stem cells that have the ability to be differentiated or give rise to cells with different functions. According to the researchers, the stem cells were coaxed to develop into gastric cells to build mini-stomachs.
Stem cell research has always encountered difficulties, led by the challenge of getting cells to 'differentiate', or become cells for specific organs. for the study, the researchers exploited chemical steps that occur during embryonic development, when cells differentiate into the specific types that form the stomach.
These steps were then replicated in a Petri dish so that pluripotent stem cells developed into endoderm cells, the building blocks of the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tracts. These were then biochemically nudged into becoming cells of the antrum, the stomach region that secretes mucus and hormones. (Read: Glaucoma drug can regrow human hair!)
Although the mini-stomachs are still at a preliminary stage, the organoids are a long way from being replacement tissue or a fully-fledged stomach. Early tests on mice, however, suggest that they could one day be a 'patch' for holes caused by peptic ulcers. (Read: Stem cells can help bones regrow)
The organoids also mark an important step forward in how to tease stem cells into becoming 3-D structure, the scientists said. And, as 'mini-stomachs,' they also provide a testbed for studying diseases such as cancer, diabetes and obesity, the team said in a press release.
'Up until now, there's been no good way to study stomach diseases in humans,' said Jim Wells, a researcher in developmental biology at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio.
The research holds great significance as it could spur research into cancer, ulcers and diabetes. (Read: Scientists design new kind of stem cells for building organs)
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are cells which are capable of giving rise to more cells of the same type. They are of particular interest because they are capable of replenishing dying cells and can regenerate damaged tissues. Experts believe that stem cell treatments will play an important role in alleviating human diseases. Right now the only cost beneficial stem cell therapy is bone marrow transplantation but experts believe that it can be soon used to treat cancer, diabetes, Parkinson s, cardiac failures and can facilitate organ transplantation with minimal risk of rejection and side-effects. Read more about Stem cells
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
(Image for representational purpose only)
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