A scientist named Dr Xiao and colleagues have managed to induce cells from pigs to transform into pluripotent stem cells (cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of developing into any type of cell in the body). It is the first time in the world that this has been achieved using somatic cells (cells that are not sperm or egg cells) from any animal with hooves (known as ungulates).
Dr Xiao succeeded in generating induced pluripotent stem cells by using transcription factors to reprogram cells taken from a pig's ear and bone marrow. After the combination of reprogramming factors had been introduced into the cells through a virus, the cells changed and developed in the laboratory into colonies of embryonic-like stem cells. Further tests confirmed that they were, in fact, stem cells capable of differentiating into the cell types that make up the three layers in an embryo – endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm – a quality that all embryonic stem cells have. The information gained from successfully inducing pluripotent stem cells means that it will be much easier for researchers to go on to develop embryonic stem cells that originate from pig or other ungulate embryos. Dr Lei Xiao, who led the research, said: “it is entirely new, very important and has a number of applications for both human and animal health."
Pig pluripotent stem cells would be useful in a number of ways, such as precisely engineering transgenic animals for organ transplantation therapies. They could also be used to create models for human genetic diseases. However, Dr Xiao warned that it could take several years before some of the potential medical applications of his research could be used in the clinic.
Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602192557.htm
By: s41461846
