Amniotic fluid offers alternative stem cell source by Sidra Bashir
Scientists have successfully come to the conclusion that stem cells taken from amniotic fluid can serve as an alternative to the medically valuable cells. This is because they can be transformed into a more versatile state which is similar to embryonic stem cells. This was said by the scientists on Tuesday.
It is interesting to know that without the addition of extra genes the reprogramming of amniotic fluids was successful. This was said by the British researchers.
Due to this process there is a possibility that stem cells derived from donated amniotic fluid could be stored in banks. They also said these cells could be used for medical therapies and in research. Hence, it happens to be a less problematic alternative when compared to embryonic stem cells. The figure shown below shows a basic layout for the extraction of the amniotic fluid.
The source for all other cells is the stem cells hence; they are the body’s master cells. Stem cells help in regenerating tissue so all those diseases which do not have any treatment yet can be treated in a new way using these stem cells. Heart disease, Parkinson’s and stroke can have a new way of treatment as said by scientists.
Embryonic stem cells have the potential to become almost any type of tissue. They are harvested from embryos. There are other types of stem cells, including adult or so-called “induced pluripotent” stem cells. Though they are less controversial, but are also less flexible.
It is due to the ethical concerns that there is always a search going on for alternatives to embryonic stem cells. In addition to that there is also a limited availability of donor embryos.
Scientists from Imperial College London and University College London’s (UCL) Institute of Child Health said amniotic fluid stem cells are an intermediate between embryonic and adult stem cells. This study was published in the journal Molecular Therapy.
PLURIPOTENT
“They have some potential to develop into different cell types but they are not pluripotent,” said Pascale Guillot, from the Imperial’s department of surgery and cancer.
The study also shows that these cells can return to their flexible nature, or “pluripotent” but this can only be attained by the addition of a chemical that modifies the configuration of DNA.
The experiment performed by Guillot’s team used stem cells from amniotic fluid donated by mothers. These mothers had undergone amniocentesis tests during the first trimester of a pregnancy.
The experiment was carried out in a lab where the cells were grown on a gelatinous protein mixture. A drug named Valproic acid was added. It helped in reprogramming the cells into a more primitive state.
After carrying out a series of tests the researchers found that the reprogrammed cells had become pluripotent. It can also be said that they had very similar properties to embryonic stem cells.
As the experiment was continued and the cells kept on growing in culture for a while, it was noted that the reprogrammed cells were able to develop into many different types of functioning cells, including liver, bone and nerve cells.
Even when the cells were frozen and then melted out they did not lose their pluripotency.
Amniotic fluid is a good source of stem cells. This study was confirmed by UCL’s Paolo De Coppi, who co-led the study with Guillot.
It has been proved by previous researches that adult cells can be made pluripotent by the introduction of extra genes into the cells, often using viruses.
But there is a risk of number of problems that can be caused by the modification of DNA. It is because the efficiency of this type of reprogramming is relatively low.
“The advantages of generating pluripotent cells without any genetic manipulation make them more likely to be used for therapy,” De Coppi said.
Amniotic fluid can be taken out from the mother’s belly using a fine needle in a process called amniocentesis. This process is used during early pregnancies to test for genetic diseases. Amniotic fluid surrounds and helps feed and protect the growing baby in the womb.
-Sidra
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