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The development and clinical application of mini-pig embryonic stem cells
Description
Embryonic Stem cells (ESC) have great therapeutic potential, but much research is still needed before their clinical use becomes commonplace. For both adult and embryonic stem cells, stability, potential to transmit harmful pathogens or genetic mutations, and risk of forming unwanted tissues or even terato-carcinomas have yet to be fully assessed.
A large laboratory animal experimental is being used for the pre-clinical evaluation of several questions including:
• can ESC differentiate in vivo into appropriate cell types
• can ESC differentiation remain stable and not degenerate into neoplastic proliferation
• what is the immunogenicity of ESC derived lineages
• can immunogenicity be reduced or eliminated through ESC manipulation
In order to answer these and other questions we are deriving ESC from miini+pigs using in vivo embryos, parthenotes and embryos derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer as a source.
Cell lines are characterized and maintained in “therapy grade” conditions (defined media, homologous species feeder layers). Cells are stably transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for an easy tracing upon transplantation.
In vivo transplantation of stem or precursor cells derived from the above mentioned sources will allow a direct comparison of their therapeutic potential in long term experiments. Initial target organs are the hart and the brain, followed by the spinal cord.
The therapeutic application of the combined use of biomaterials designed for surgical applications and ESC will also be tested.
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Contacts
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