( Many scientists have found new ways to ...)Stem cells form blood vessels,Health

Many scientists have found new ways to repair damaged arteries and ailing hearts have coaxed stem cells from a human embryo into forming tiny blood vessels. According to Robert Langer, leader of a laboratory team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this is the first time human embryonic stem cells have been nurtured to the point where they will organize into blood vessels that could nourish the body.//

But it is not likely to be the last, as scientists continue their research into uses for stem cells despite debate over the ethics of using the cells. The new development is reported in Tuesday's online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. John Gearhart of the Hopkins School of Medicine felt that the research was a nice illustration of how stem cells can serve as a source of various types of cells, in this case for blood vessels. It's another good example of the isolation of an important cell type from human embryonic stem cells.

According to Langer the work shows that endothelial cells can be made from human embryonic stem cells. Endothelial cells line veins, arteries and lymph tissue and are the key to the structures that carry blood throughout the body.

He said if the technique is refined, scientists may eventually be able to make in the laboratory blood vessels that could be used to replace diseased arteries in the body. ``There are thousands of operations a year now where doctors take vessels from one part of the body and transplant them to another,'' said Langer. Eventually, such vessels might be made outside the body from embryonic stem cells.

Langer said endothelial cells also might be used to restore circulation to cells damaged by heart attacks. He said the processed stem cells may be able to re-establish blood flow to hearts failing due to blocked arteries. The research was conducted under a private grant, but Langer said the cell culture used is one of 55 worldwide that
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