Protein that can help treatment of leukemia identified, UCLA scientists upbeat – International Business Times, Singapore Edition
Posted: December 2, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Cancer | One of the most common disease in the world
In what may prove as a breakthrough in the treatment of leukaemia and other blood diseases, scientists at UCLA have discovered a protein produced by a gene known as MLLT3 and its connection to the multiplication of human blood stem cells.
The discovery which was published in a study is very much significant as cancers such as leukaemia can be effectively treated using blood stem cells, also known as Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), produced outside the human body and could serve as an alternative to existing treatment options such as bone marrow transplants.
Self-renewal is the process by which stem cells divide to create more cells. The study focused on a specific type of the kind: Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) which are present within the bone marrow where along with self-renewal, they also produce different types of blood cells such as red and white by transforming into them.
Placing HSCs in laboratory dishes after their removal from the bone marrow causes then to lose their ability to self-renew, and they either transform into other blood types or perish. It is this process that the scientists studied. Through a series of steps, the researchers studied the genes that shutdown as the cells lost their capacity to self-renew.
They discovered that the HSCs' ability to self-renew corresponded with the expression of a gene called MLLT3. They also found that MLLT3 generated a protein that instructed HSCs to retain their capacity to self-renew. As the cells divide, the protein works along with other regulatory proteins to keep vital components of the HSCs' functioning.
Employing a viral vector the researchers tried to ascertain if maintaining the MLLT3 protein levels in lab dishes would help improve the self-renewing abilities of HSCs. A viral vector is a specially designed virus that transfers genetic information to the nucleus of a cell without giving rise to a disease. Using the vector, the scientists introduced an active MLLT3 gene into HSCs. They found that there was nearly a twelvefold multiplication of working HSCs in lab dishes.
"If we think about the amount of blood stem cells needed to treat a patient, that's a significant number," said Dr. Hanna Mikkola, a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA, and senior author of the study, to the UCLA Newsroom.
The UCLA scientists observed that the use of 'small molecules' organic compounds that help in the multiplication of human HSCs, improved self-renewal in general. However, the cells were unable to maintain stable MLLT3 levels and did not perform well when implanted into mice.
"Our method, which exposes blood stem cells to the small molecules and also inserts an active MLLT3 gene, created blood stem cells that integrated well into mouse bone marrow, efficiently produced all blood cell types and maintained their self-renewing ability," said Vincenzo Calvanese, a UCLA project scientist and the study's co-corresponding author, to the UCLA Newsroom.
The team noted that the self-renewal of HSCs caused by MLLT3 was at a safe rate. This means that they did not acquire potent characteristics such as mutation or excessive multiplication, or the production aberrant cells that can cause leukaemia.
Determining which proteins and constituents within the DNA of the HSCs affect the activation and deactivation of MLLT3 is the next step for the team. Also, understanding the regulation of the process using components in the lab dishes is another step. The information gathered may help find ways in which MLLT3 could be switched on and off without employing a viral vector.
- Daily briefing: Authors of five seminal HIV/AIDS papers tell what happened next - Nature.com - December 2nd, 2019
- Wallsend dad who called on the public for stem cells for his son scoops top Anthony Nolan Award - Chronicle Live - December 2nd, 2019
- Artist's first exhibition following stem cell transplant - The Westmorland Gazette - December 2nd, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy May Improve Heart Health In New Ways - TheHealthMania - December 1st, 2019
- Systematic analysis and evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Market with share, growth rate, Forecasts to 2026 - WindStreetz - December 1st, 2019
- The Best Thanksgiving - GlobeNewswire - December 1st, 2019
- Stem cells do help restore heart function but in a different way - News-Medical.net - November 28th, 2019
- North-east toddler overcomes cancer after pioneering stem cell treatment - Press and Journal - November 28th, 2019
- Brave Scots tot born with two types of leukaemia to spend Christmas at home after second stem cell transplant - The Scottish Sun - November 28th, 2019
- Discover The Latest Frontier in Anti-aging Medicine and 3 Regenerative Therapies You Should Know... - YourObserver.com - November 28th, 2019
- Researchers Find a Way to Collect Elusive Blood Stem Cells from Zebrafish - Mirage News - November 28th, 2019
- Scottish baby spent first Christmas in hospital after she was diagnosed with two types of cancer - Scotland on Sunday - November 28th, 2019
- South Carolina toddler survives rare cancer and the risky procedure used to treat it - USA TODAY - November 28th, 2019
- 'My daughter's death took me to the darkest place, but I've learned it's possible to come back' - Telegraph.co.uk - November 28th, 2019
- Despite illness, this Clemson fan will be tuned in for the Tigers-Gamecocks game - Greenville News - November 28th, 2019
- Translink in Armagh holding stem cell registration event in memory of Gavin McNaney - Armagh i - November 28th, 2019
- Why ending HIV still rests on a working cure -- as well as prevention - MENAFN.COM - November 28th, 2019
- The Best Thanksgiving - StreetInsider.com - November 28th, 2019
- Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Adipose Tissue and Bone Marrow on Acute Myocardial Infarction... - November 26th, 2019
- A primer: stem cell and regenerative medicine as 'the' emerging therapy - Chiropractic Economics - November 26th, 2019
- Woman questions stem cell treatment advertised on radio after paying thousands with no pain relief - WBTV - November 26th, 2019
- Adult Leukemia: What You Need to Know - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - November 26th, 2019
- I almost died aged 23 then my sister became my stem cell donor - The Times - November 26th, 2019
- Stem cells' role in medicine and research - The Medium - November 26th, 2019
- 2 Small-Cap Biotechs That Soared Last Week - Motley Fool - November 26th, 2019
- Thankful People -- 'He's gonna owe me big': Matthew McKee receives bone-marrow donation from twin sister Allee - Southeast Missourian - November 26th, 2019
- 1st SCD Trial Patient Shows CTX001 Gene Editing to be Safe, Effective - Sickle Cell Anemia News - November 26th, 2019
- My fight with blood cancer by musician to the stars - Henley Standard - November 26th, 2019
- Stem Cell Banking Market to Expand Steadily in the Coming Years till 2018-2026 - Crypto Journal - November 26th, 2019
- Arthritis drugs could be repurposed to help prevent breast cancer spreading to the bone, study suggests - The University of Manchester - November 26th, 2019
- Vor Biopharma and MaxCyte Announce Clinical and Commercial License Agreement for Engineered Hematopoietic Stem Cells (eHSCs) to Treat Cancer -... - November 26th, 2019
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics to make scientific presentations at the 30th International Symposium on ALS/MND - GlobeNewswire - November 26th, 2019
- Oliver and Elizabeth Hedgepeth column: Human donations are a gift of life - Richmond.com - November 26th, 2019
- U.S. stem cell clinic offering unapproved therapies brings direct-to-consumer marketing to Ottawa - Ottawa Citizen - November 18th, 2019
- These Scientists May Have Found a Cure for 'Bubble Boy' Disease - Smithsonian - November 18th, 2019
- CNST Stock Is Particularly Risky After Its Recent Run - Investorplace.com - November 18th, 2019
- Growth of Autologous Stem Cell And Non Stem Cell Based Therapies Market projected to amplify during 2026 - Crypto News Byte - November 17th, 2019
- Bone marrow transplant: What it is, uses, risks, and recovery - Medical News Today - November 16th, 2019
- Redding woman donates bone marrow, saves life of a father - FOX61 Hartford - November 16th, 2019
- We live in an age of miracles. And my nephew needs one - The Times - November 16th, 2019
- Im grateful for the kindness of strangers in my cancer recovery - The Globe and Mail - November 16th, 2019
- An introduction to the use of transplantation for the treatment of AML - AML Global Portal - November 16th, 2019
- Gracell Announces Five Presentations at the Annual Meeting of American Society of Hematology (ASH) - PRNewswire - November 16th, 2019
- bluebird bio and Forty Seven Announce a Research Collaboration to Study an All Antibody Conditioning Regimen for Use in Combination with Autologous... - November 14th, 2019
- The Value and Versatility of Clinical Flow Cytometry - Technology Networks - November 14th, 2019
- Sodium Selenite Improves The Therapeutic Effect Of BMSCs Via Promoting | OTT - Dove Medical Press - November 14th, 2019
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Research Grant Award From the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Yahoo Finance - November 14th, 2019
- At 27 with a new baby, she thought she had the flu. It was blood cancer. - IndyStar - November 14th, 2019
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Ralph Kern MD MHSc to Present at the 7th International Stem Cell Meeting - Yahoo Finance - November 14th, 2019
- Be the Match and Make a Difference - Fairfield Mirror - November 14th, 2019
- Heartbreaking moment dad meets the woman who saved his life - he feared his son would grow up without a father - Manchester Evening News - November 14th, 2019
- From inspiration to innovation | UDaily - UDaily - November 14th, 2019
- Discover the Global Cord Stem Cell banking Market gain impetus due to the growing demand over 2026 - Markets Gazette 24 - November 14th, 2019
- Cocker Spaniel Coco goes to US to try and save her puppy's life - Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen - November 14th, 2019
- Global PNH and aHUS Industry: Sales, Revenue, Market Share and Competition by Manufacturer Covered in a Latest Research - Exchange 99 - November 14th, 2019
- Tearful dad meets woman who saved his life and gave him future with his son - Liverpool Echo - November 14th, 2019
- Gary Pesselt: Vitality Healthcare is it worth the cost? - The Union of Grass Valley - November 11th, 2019
- Diabetics make insulin for first time with stem cell-derived therapy - The San Diego Union-Tribune - November 11th, 2019
- Myelofibrosis Treatment Market To Witness an Outstanding Growth During 2016-2022 - Zebvo - November 11th, 2019
- Tears And Joy This Toddler with Down Syndrome Who Was Battling Leukemia Is Finally Cancer Free - SurvivorNet - November 11th, 2019
- Perfect match: How Birthright alumni saved the lives of 100s of strangers - The Jerusalem Post - November 11th, 2019
- 19-28z CAR-T Therapy in Children and Young Adults With Relapsed/Refractory ALL: Promising Early Results - Cancer Therapy Advisor - November 11th, 2019
- Transient Wave of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Production in Late Fetuses and Young Adults - Technology Networks - November 9th, 2019
- An artist and a transplant researcher discuss the heart - Harvard Gazette - November 9th, 2019
- Exercise found to block chronic inflammation in mice - Harvard Gazette - November 9th, 2019
- 'I've become best friends with the woman who saved my life' - Telegraph.co.uk - November 9th, 2019
- Arizona the "wild west" of stem cell therapy; experts say promising therapy ripe for exploitation - ABC15 Arizona - November 7th, 2019
- Using her diagnosis to help others, Peoria woman to host 'Be the Match' event - week.com - November 7th, 2019
- Phase 3 Trial of NINLAROTM (ixazomib) as First Line Maintenance Therapy Met Primary Endpoint in Multiple Myeloma Patients not treated with Stem Cell... - November 7th, 2019
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics to Announce Third Quarter Financial Results and Provide a Comprehensive Corporate Update - Yahoo Finance - November 7th, 2019
- Phase 3 Trial of ALS Cell Therapy, NurOwn, Gets Thumbs Up in Safety Review by Monitoring Board - ALS News Today - November 7th, 2019
- Partner Therapeutics (PTx) Announces the Appointment of John McManus as Chief Business Officer - PRNewswire - November 7th, 2019
- ExCellThera announces publication in The Lancet Haematology highlighting excellent clinical results of ECT-001 in patients with haematological... - November 7th, 2019
- Global Anti-Neoplastic Agents Market: Development History, Current Analysis and Estimated Forecast to 2025 - Market Research Reporting - November 7th, 2019
- Stem Cell Therapy: What's Real and What's Not at California's For-Profit Clinics - UCSF News Services - November 4th, 2019
- Three UCLA scientists receive grants totaling more than $18 million - UCLA Newsroom - November 4th, 2019
- Organ donations: What you can do to help save a life - Calgary Herald - November 4th, 2019
- Stem Cell Banking Market Anticipated to Grow at a Significant Pace by 2028 - Weekly Spy - November 4th, 2019
- Leukaemia: what is it, how to spot the warning signs and who is at risk? - The Telegraph - November 4th, 2019
- How Stem Cells Can Heal The Body - Version Weekly - November 4th, 2019