Stem cells can generate into many types of cells in the body. In a recent study Genentech scientists in San Francisco say they have grown entire prostates in mice using only a single adult stem cell. The success of the study was made possible by identification of a genetic signature which distinguished stem cells from other cells. The information has not been confirmed in humans, but understanding normal cells should help with the understanding of how prostate cancer develops.
Some scientists consider that stem cells in normal tissues produce cancer. Study co-author Leisa Johnson, a senior scientist with Genentech said that has not been proven. Stem cells have several surface markers, but they are also on other cells, making identification difficult. The study authors found a new marker, CD117, combined with previously known prostate stem cell cancer markers. This allowed identification of a single, normal prostate stem cell. That cell was able to generate a functional prostate and was capable of renewing itself. This holds the promise of treatments and even cures for many diseases.
Johnson explained that it is important to define a normal cell compartment that can generate a tissue. Once that knowledge is available it would be able to identify the compartment that goes awry if cancer initiates. What is resistant, what is regenerating a tumor, is the same cell responsible for generation of normal tissue?
According to Paul Sanberg, professor of neurosurgery and director of the University of South Florida Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair in Tampa “It’s another step showing that stem cells can be a root case of cancer, so it gives targets for treatment.”
Wei-Qiang Gao, Ph.D. also of Genentech said that same kind of cells carrying the same CD117 marker can be found in humans. According to Gao and colleagues two different research teams recently reported growing mouse mammary glands from a single stem cell. The finds add to this “hallmark advancement in the stem-cell research field.” Researchers grew their transplant cells in gel in the lab, and when the gels were placed inside the kidneys of immune-deficient mice, they grew into functional prostrate tissue.
There were 97 single cell transplants, and 14 developed functioning prostates. This may seem like a low percentage of success, but since it is the first attempt it is an extremely significant process.
Stem cells have had scientists extremely interested in recent years because of the potential to grow specific cells to replace damage or diseased tissue. The interest has also generated a lot of public controversy because the biggest focus has been on embryonic cells. Embryonic cells are “pluripotent” and can become any tissue in the body. There are “unipotent” adult stem cells which are already programmed to divide into specific cells. These were the cells used in this research. Isolating “unipotent” cells and getting them to regenerate into the desired tissue has been a major hurdle. Future medical research will show whether tailor made transplants can be grown from a patient’s own cells by using the findings of this study.
The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder that helps make seminal fluid and expel semen. Prostate cancer is one of the most prominent cancers in developed countries. Even if non-cancerous prostates cause many medical problems for the aging male population.
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