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Researchers attempt shift from embryonic to induced pluripotent stem cells
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SEATTLE – While embryonic stem cells are the most potent cells available to scientists, some are investigating the efficacy of induced pluripotent stem cells instead, according to a cell biologist speaking here at the American Academy of Optometry’s plenary session.
Amander T. Clark, PhD, told attendees that while researchers recognize the power of embryonic stem cells, “we’re trying to move away from using them to treat disease because of their origins in the human embryo.”
Amander T. Clark
An alternative may be induced pluripotent stem cells.
“It’s completely made in the lab,” she said. “It does not exist in the human body.”
Clark explained that there are three types of stem cells: embryonic, induced pluripotent and nonembryonic.
“Embryonic come from the in vitro fertilization clinic,” Clark said. “When a couple is through with their stem cells, it’s up to them what is done with them.”
They can be discarded, donated to another couple trying to conceive or donated to research programs.
Nonembryonic stem cells are found in the skin, bone marrow, gut, cord blood and the eye tissues, she said. They can also be made in the lab (mesenchymal).
“There has been no medically approved use of mesenchymal (fat) stem cell therapy,” Clark said, “although about 360 U.S. Food and Drug Administration clinical trials are underway.”
Clark told attendees that stem cell biology enables us to study processes that we have previously been unable to study.
“You take the differentiated product and transplant it and see if it can repair injury,” she said. “We use it in the lab to understand normal human embryogenesis and birth defects.”
Most are familiar with stem cells being used in bone marrow transplants.
“This began with a clinical trial where all 12 participants died,” Clark said. “It led us to understand immunorejection.”
Clark explained that cord blood is donated to banks, and the banks form a registry so it can be used in the treatment of blood diseases. That tissue contains blood stem cells.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a statement saying there’s no scientific rationale for parents to store the cord blood to treat that child in the future; they recommend donating it to a registry,” she said.
Disclosure: This course was partially sponsored by Primary Care Optometry News.