Stem Cells for Better Blood Clotting
Reported July 30, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new solution to blood clotting problems may be around the corner.
Human blood depends on cells called platelets to clot. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from anemia often suffer from low counts of these crucial cells.
Platelets harvested from donated blood carry a risk of blood infection and other side effects for those who need frequent transfusions. To avoid these complications, researchers have been trying to cultivate platelets from embryonic stem cells (ESCs).
Until now, two obstacles have stood in the way of stem cell derived platelets. First, platelets from ESCs are often crowded out by other cells produced by the stem cells. Second, ESC derived platelets often fail to clot properly. Scientists overcame these obstacles in mice by starting with stem cells committed to producing platelets and blocking the action of a certain type of enzyme that prevents proper clotting. Human testing will come next.
SOURCE: Journal of Experimental Medicine, published online July 28, 2008