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Spleen Surprise Source of Stem Cells
May hold pocket of primitive, embryonic cells, researchers discover
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 19 (HealthDayNews) -- The spleen may be a source of
potential adult stem cells that contain a protein called Hox11, which
is associated with embryonic development and limb regeneration in some
animals, says a Massachusetts General Hospital study.
It was previously believed that Hox11 was present only during the
embryonic development of mammals.
"There may be a previously undiscovered pocket of primitive stem cells
in the spleen that are important for healing several types of damage or
injury. If so, these cell could have much broader therapeutic
applications than suggested by our earlier work," study author Dr.
Denise Faustman, director of the hospital's Immunobiology Laboratory,
said in a prepared statement.
About a year ago, the same team concluded that the spleen may be a
source of adult stem cells able to regenerate the insulin-producing
islets of the pancreas.
This new study supports the existence of those adult stem cells and
also suggests the stem cells may be able to produce even more kinds of
tissue.
The findings appear in the Jan. 19 issue of SAGE KE.
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more about stem cells.
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