New Adult Stem Cell Source Discovered

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New Adult Stem Cell Source Discovered

Special Report - September 7, 2007
Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP), a part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, have discovered a population of adult stem cells they believe have the ability to treat muscle injuries and diseases. The findings of the study are published in the September issue of the medical journal Nature Biotechnology. According to a CHP press release, a team of scientists extracted stem cells (called myoendothelial cells) from human blood vessels that can be differentiated in the laboratory into muscle, bone, and cartilage cells. Dr. Johnny Huard, one of the lead researchers on the project, explained that scientists could take a muscle biopsy from a patient suffering from a muscular ailment, treat the cells in the lab, and then reinsert the cells into the patient without facing the risk of the patient’s body rejecting the cells, a problem common with stem cells taken from human embryos. CHP researchers believe that myoendothelial cells could treat a variety of ailments, including muscle injuries, heart attack, and muscular dystrophy.

The new research adds to the growing body of treatments derived from adult stem cell sources. Despite these success stories, however, state and congressional lawmakers continue to push for government funding of embryonic stem cell research. S. 5—Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, a bill that would appropriate taxpayer dollars to support research involving the destruction of human embryos, passed the U.S. Senate 63 to 34 on April 11 and the House 247 to 176 on June 7. President Bush vetoed the legislation, and it is unclear whether lawmakers will attempt to take up the bill again.

On the state level, the North Carolina House approved legislation this year that would authorize the use of state taxpayer dollars to fund human embryonic stem cell research, but the State Senate did not act on the measure. The bill, HB 1837—Stem Cell Research and Wellness Act, could arise again during the 2008 “Short” Session, which begins next May.