Share

Prostate grown from single cell

Molecular biologists reported that they had grown prostates in mice from single cells, marking an important step forward in the quest to grow transplant tissue in the lab.

The four-person team at the Californian biotechnology firm Genentech said they achieved the feat after identifying a primitive, powerful cell - a stem cell - in mouse prostates.

The cell, known by its marker CD117, was transplanted below the kidney in lab mice, according to their study published online by the British-based science journal Nature. Of 97 of these single-cell transplants, 14 functioning prostates developed.

Stem cells have unleashed enormous interest in recent years because of their theoretical potential to grow specific cells that can be used to replace tissue damaged by disease or accident.

How the research was done
The biggest focus has been on stem cells at the embryonic stage as these are "pluripotent", meaning that they can become any tissue in the body. There are also "unipotent" adult stem cells, which are already programmed to divide into specific cells, which is the case in this research.

However, isolating these unipotent cells and getting them to regenerate successfully into the desired tissue in living animals has proved to be a major hurdle.

In 2006, two teams of scientists made a breakthrough in growing a mouse mammary gland from a single stem cell. The Genentech researchers suspect that men also have a potential population of CD117 stem cells, although only further work will determine whether these cells can be tracked down and used as a regenerative source.

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder that helps make seminal fluid and expel semen. Prostate cancer is a leading form of cancer in developed countries. – (Sapa, October 2008)

Read more:
Prostate cancer screens risky
Prostate pill sparks hope

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE