科研之友
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摘要
The objective of regenerative medicine is to replace damaged human tissues. The principle is to collect multipotent stem cells from the body, purify them, multiply them in vitro, and either inject them so that they can produce, directly in the body the tissues needed to regenerate a functional organ, or lead in vitro their differentiation to the type of the tissue to be regenerated before injecting them. It owes it development to the recent discoveries on stem cells, Perspectives include the treatment of certain cancers, diabetes, degenerative diseases, side effects of radiotherapy... Stem cells are present in all development stages, from the fertilized egg to adult cells. The source of embryonic stem cells is unlimited, and therefore they seem to be the future of regenerative medicine. However, because they come from embryos, they are also at the center of a worldwide ethical debate. Adult stem cells, however, do not raise such ethical questions, and they are already undergoing clinical studies. Although they are present in limited numbers, adult stem cells can be collected easily from three tissues: bone marrow, fat tissue and muscle. Their numbers can be increased using simple techniques. The most spectacular results are obtained with bone marrow, which has been used for over 40 years for the treatment of leukaemia. The French Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety participated in experimental studies on the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of irradiated healthy tissues. Two major elements are currently revolutionizing regenerative medicine. Firstly, mesenchymal stem cells are used as therapeutic means, just like drugs, and as they elicit no rejection from the body, a single donor may be used to treat multiple recipients with a wide range of conditions. Secondly, reprogramming of differentiated adult cells produces stem cells with properties similar to those of embryonic stem cells (source of unlimited multipotent cells).
- 出版日期2008-7
