Stem Cells from Amniotic Fluid:Reprogrammed Amniotic Fluid Cells Can Generate All Types of Cells

[The Straight Story]

Stem Cells from Amniotic Fluid: Reprogrammed Amniotic Fluid Cells Can Generate All Types of Body Cells

ScienceDaily (Nov. 25, 2010) — Reprogrammed amniotic fluid cells can generate all types of body cells. High hopes rest on stem cells: one day, they may be used to treat many diseases. To date, embryos are the main source of these cells, but this raises ethical problems. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have now managed to convert amniotic fluid cells into pluripotent stem cells. These amniotic fluid-derived iPS cells are hardly distinguishable from embryonic stem cells. However, they "remember" where they came from.

The research appears in the online journal PLoS ONE, published by the Public Library of Science.

The special abilities of embryonic stem cells can today be used in multiple "grown-up" cells (e.g. skin and hair cells). This is done by reprogramming the cells and converting them to "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells). These then possess the typical properties of embryonic stem cells, meaning they can generate any of the cell types of the human body (pluripotency), and they can multiply endlessly.

Stem cells with memory

The scientists have shown that the amniotic fluid iPS cells can form different human cell types. They have also discovered that induced pluripotent stem cells can remember the original cell type from which they were generated. During cellular reprogramming, various genes that control the development of stem cells are apparently switched on or remain active. This confirms other current research results, which show that iPS cells derived from distinct tissues are prone to follow their pre-destined developmental path upon spontaneous differentiation. "We don't know just yet whether this donor-cell type memory will have an impact on possible medical treatment, or which type of somatic cell-derived iPS cell will be most suitable for treatment," cautions Katharina Wolfrum of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101122093347.htm