Researchers devise means to create blood by identifying earliest ...(lasts but turning off the enzyme also he...)

Date:8/29/2008

lasts, but turning off the enzyme also helps guide the cells' replication and maturation into either blood or endothelial cells. By treating the hemangioblasts with losartan, an ACE pathway blocking agent routinely used to treat high blood pressure, dramatically increased the rate of blood cell production.

The next step, Zambidis adds, is to test this research in animal models and show that "we can make lots and lots of blood cells from human stem cells for transfusions, regenerate new vascular trees for heart diseases, as well as create test tube factories for making transplantable blood cells that treat diseases. We are very far from treatment," Zambidis cautions, "but this is a big step."

If the new technique of mass producing progenitor blood cells is eventually proven to work in humans, it would allow patients getting bone marrow transplants to have their own stem cells creating the blood they need, significantly reducing rejection risk.

'/>"/>

Contact: Valerie Mehl mehlva@jhmi.edu 410-955-1287 Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Source:Eurekalert

6 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related biology news :

1. Researchers discover atomic bomb effect results in adult-onset thyroid cancer
2. Antidepressants need new nerve cells to be effective, UT Southwestern researchers find
3. Indiana U researchers launch social networking and research management tool for scientists
4. UC Davis researchers define characteristics, treatment options for XXYY syndrome
5. Munich researchers discover key allergy gene
6. Rapid test for pathogens developed by K-State researchers
7. OU researchers isolate microorganisms that convert hydrocarbons to natural gas
8. UH researchers win top prize for research with humanitarian applications
9. Caltech researchers awarded $10M for molecular programming project
10. Researchers study facial structures, brain abnormalities to reveal formula for detection of autism
11. Mount Sinai researchers discover technology that silences genes