Scientists are always looking for ways of being able to implant cells into humans that bypass the defense responses of the immune system. They are also looking for ways of creating stem cells that bypass the ethical issues of using human embryos.
Dr. Jeffrey Platt and his team at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor have developed an approach that seems to do both. By taking stem cells from human umbilical cord blood and bone marrow and injecting it into a fetal pig, human T cells grew within the pigs, as did the pigs’ own cells.
When the human cells were separated out, preliminary testing showed that these T cells should be accepted by the donor body, but further tests will be done to confirm this.
These T cells could be used to fight a myriad of infections as well as to attack cancer cells.
Cancer-Fighting Animals
Piglets As Human Immune System Boosters
Trend Themes
1. Implanting Cells - Using stem cells from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow to implant cells that bypass the immune system, creating opportunities in regenerative medicine.
2. Ethical Stem Cells - Developing stem cells from non-embryonic sources to address the ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research, presenting opportunities in medical advancements.
3. Cancer-fighting T Cells - Harnessing T cells grown within animals to fight infections and attack cancer cells, presenting potential breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
Industry Implications
1. Regenerative Medicine - Applying stem cell technology to develop novel therapies for tissue repair and regeneration that bypass the immune system.
2. Biotechnology - Developing ethically sourced stem cells and exploring their potential applications in medicine and disease treatment.
3. Healthcare - Integrating animal-based T cell research into cancer treatments and infection prevention, revolutionizing disease management and patient care.