Dr. Tomer Itkin (Tel Aviv University)
An international research team led by scientists from Tel Aviv University and Sheba Medical Center has developed a groundbreaking method to activate and expand adult stem cells from human bone marrow outside the body. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize bone marrow regeneration and aid in rebuilding the blood and immune system.
The study, published in Nature Immunology, marks a major advancement in stem cell therapy. It could significantly enhance transplant success rates for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, individuals with genetic disorders, and those in need of bone marrow transplants who lack sufficient donor stem cells.
Stem cells are special cells in the body that have the remarkable ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells. They also play a crucial role in repairing damaged tissues. Think of them as the body’s raw material, ready to specialize and take on various functions. Stem cell research is a rapidly advancing field with the goal of understanding stem cell properties and harnessing their potential for medical applications.
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The research was led by Dr. Tomer Itkin from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University and the Sagol Center for Regenerative Medicine at Sheba Medical Center. The study also included contributions from top global institutions, including Weill Cornell Medical College, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, the University of Toronto Medical Center, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Researchers, utilizing a comprehensive big data analysis of RNA and epigenetic DNA sequencing, have pinpointed a crucial protein, the Fli-1 transcription factor, responsible for activating stem cells in the immune and blood systems. These stem cells exhibit high activity when sourced from umbilical cord blood but are typically dormant in adult bone marrow donors. Leveraging modified mRNA technology, similar to that used in COVID-19 vaccines, the team successfully “awakened” these dormant adult stem cells, enabling controlled division without increasing cancer risk. The activated cells, expanded on endothelial cells mimicking the bone marrow environment, showed improved integration and blood production restoration capabilities in transplant scenarios.
According to Dr. Itkin, “This new method significantly expands the available pool of stem cells for transplantation without relying on rare bone marrow donors. Additionally, the method can be used to treat patients whose stem cells have undergone genetic correction, such as those with thalassemia and hereditary anemia, as well as patients who have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and have an insufficient number of stem cells for autologous transplantation”.
This breakthrough could pave the way for safer, more effective bone marrow transplants, offering new hope to millions worldwide using stem cells.
