Revolutionizing Transplantation: Genome-Edited iPS Cells for Therapeutic Use
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have successfully transplanted genome-edited induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells into mice in an effort to make therapeutic applications of gene editing a reality. While previous studies have used gene editing to manipulate iPS cells, this is the first to investigate their transplantation into an animal model. The findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that the use of iPS cells holds great potential for the development of treatments for a range of diseases.
The research team, led by Professor Keiichiro Suzuki of the Tokyo University of Science, used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to create iPS cells with mutations in the Fbxo32 gene, which is involved in the development of muscular dystrophy. They then transplanted these iPS cells into the mice, where they successfully integrated into the host muscle tissue. The findings demonstrate the potential of using iPS cells to treat patients with genetic diseases, as the cells can be genetically modified to replace faulty genes with healthy copies.
source: Phys.org