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[FunkOdyssey]

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/4841786.stm

Last Updated: Saturday, 25 March 2006, 00:05 GMT 

Testicle cells may aid research

Stem cells hold the promise of many new treatments

Scientists believe the human testicle may provide a less controversial
source of cells for stem cell research.

Stem cells hold great promise for new treatments for many conditions as
they have the ability to become many different types of adult tissue.

But at present the most flexible type is found in human embryos - and
their use is mired in controversy.

A German team describes in the journal Nature how it isolated cells from
mice testes that seem equally useful.

The possibility of using cells from the testes as an alternative to
embryonic stem cells for therapy is intriguing

Professor Chris Higgins

The researchers believe similar cells could also be extracted from
humans.

Scientists already knew certain cells in the testes of newborn mice were
able, like embryonic stem cells, to generate numerous different tissue
types.

But until now they had not been able to show the same cells existed in
adults.

Colonies

The researchers, from the Georg August University in Gottingen, isolated
sperm-producing cells from the testes of adult mice.

They were able to show that, under certain culture conditions, some of
them grew into colonies much like embryonic stem cells.

They called these cells multipotent adult germline stem cells (maGSCs).

Like ES cells, maGSCs can spontaneously differentiate into the three
basic tissue layers of the embryo - and contribute to the development of
multiple organs when injected into embryos.

Professor Chris Higgins, director of the Medical Research Council's
Clinical Sciences Centre, said: "The possibility of using cells from the
testes as an alternative to embryonic stem cells for therapy is
intriguing.

"However, much more research is required before the similarities and
differences between these testes cells and embryonic stem cells are
understood, and before their potential for use in therapy can be
properly assessed."

Professor Harry Moore, of the Centre for Stem Cell Biology at the
University of Sheffield, UK, said there were a number of key differences
between mice and human testes cells.

Mice cells proliferated readily, but the same was not true for human
cells. There was also a significant difference in the chemicals that
each employed to grow.

However, he added: "Nevertheless, the paper offers an intriguing route
for future stem cell therapy which might overcome the use of embryos and
cloning."

A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The government is investing
100m in stem cell research over the next two years.

"This includes research on all types of stem cells - embryonic,
umbilical and adult.

"It is important we look into all types of stem cells to make sure no
opportunities for new treatments are missed."

[FunkOdyssey]

PrimeGen Biotech Successfully Derives Human Heart, Brain, Bone and Cartilage Cells from Stem Cells Found in Adult Male Testes
3/27/2006 8:00:00 AM EST

PrimeGen Biotech LLC:

-- PrimeCell™ -- First Human Adult Stem Cell Showing Ability to Differentiate into Any Cell in the Body -- Paves Way for Cellular Replacement Therapies to Cure a Multitude of Diseases

-- Does Not Require Generation or Destruction of an Embryo

In a breakthrough for stem cell research and cellular replacement therapies, PrimeGen Biotech LLC (www.primegenbiotech.com) today announced that its researchers have successfully developed the first human adult therapeutic germ stem cell. Derived from adult stem cells but with the advantageous genetic characteristics of embryonic stem cells, PrimeCells have successfully been transformed into human heart, brain, bone and cartilage cells -- cardio, neuro, osteo and chondrocytes.

Therapeutically reprogrammed from germ line stem cells found in the testes of adult human males, PrimeCell™ is the first non-embryonic stem cell showing the potential to become any type of cell from any organ, something previously thought possible only for embryonic stem cells -- the definition of true pluripotency.

This week, the company's researchers are scheduled to present a summary of their complete data and manuscript in a poster presentation at the Serono Symposia International's Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells In Reproductive Medicine conference in Valencia, Spain. PrimeGen first presented its preliminary human experimental data at the 1st International Symposium on Germ Cells, Epigenetics, Reprogramming and Embryonic Stem Cells, held in November 2005 in Kyoto, Japan.

"We have demonstrated that there's a novel source of adult stem cells which, aside from having a role in reproduction, can be reprogrammed and used therapeutically," said Thomas C.K. Yuen, PrimeGen chairman and CEO. "We have taken the most well-preserved, highest-quality stem cell and made it pluripotent -- representing one of the most significant breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. These cells advance the potential for cellular replacement therapy for everyone."

To form PrimeCell™, PrimeGen extracts cells from the most protected adult stem cell source in the body -- the "germ," or reproductive, cell line, which intrinsically only can form sperm and eggs. Then, PrimeGen uses a proprietary process to reprogram the cells to become pluripotent, giving them the ability to transform into virtually any other cell type.

Because it started as a germ-line stem cell, PrimeCell retains the most conserved, highest-quality DNA generated by an organism. It suffers no damage from aging, chronic disease or injury. It is also shielded from free radical, ribosomal and mitochondrial damage -- all inherent limitations of adult stem cells, until now.

PrimeGen's mouse model Proof of Concept is similar to that referenced in an article published by German researchers in this month's issue of the journal Nature, and described in a March 24 Reuters article. But PrimeGen is further along -- company researchers have already begun creating therapeutically viable cell lines from human tissue. In a paper currently submitted for peer-review, PrimeGen describes the first evidence of isolation and therapeutic reprogramming of adult human germ line stem cells into heart, brain, cartilage and bone cells.

PrimeGen obtains its human tissue samples from consenting adult males between the ages of 26 and 50. For women, PrimeGen currently is reviewing the work of Jonathon Tilly, who has shown that female germ cells exist after birth, contrary to popular belief. The company is developing a female model to attempt to reproduce the results achieved using male germ line stem cells.

"We are very pleased to see that the laboratory in Germany has independently confirmed our results -- which we first described and presented in Singapore in 2005 -- on the therapeutic reprogramming of post-natal germ cells," said Francisco Silva, PrimeGen's executive vice president of research and development, and the lead researcher for the PrimeCell initiative. "Our initial research is extremely promising and we have every reason to believe that our human PrimeCells will show true pluripotentiality, as we have observed in our mouse model."

"We've already been able to reproducibly differentiate heart, brain, bone and cartilage cells, and we are excited to begin testing how these cells incorporate into tissues," Silva said. "Our goal is to create the most potent cell lines to enable the most effective treatments and therapies for as many diseases as possible. Our human PrimeCells represent a significant step in that direction."

Pluripotent cells are required for the continued development of cellular replacement therapies designed to treat a range of life-threatening conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, various autoimmune diseases, and some forms of cancer, among others.

PrimeGen currently is in talks with several leading physicians outside the United States who are doing cell-based therapies, to initially use the therapeutically reprogrammed PrimeCells to treat cardiac conditions. This will mark the first time in history that a germ line cell will be used therapeutically, rather than for reproduction.

For additional information, visit www.primegenbiotech.com.

About PrimeGen Biotech LLC

PrimeGen Biotech LLC is a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to providing the most potent regenerative cells for use in diverse therapeutic applications. At the forefront of the company's research is its next generation stem cell, PrimeCell™ -- a non-embryonic, adult-derived pluripotent stem cell. PrimeGen's innovative science and unique approach qualify it as one of the preeminent biotechnology firms within the emerging field of regenerative medicine. PrimeGen operates in a state-of-the-art 28,000-square foot research facility in Irvine, California.

CONTACT:

Edge Communications, Inc. Ken Greenberg, 818-990-5001 ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com

[jaydfox]

I'm thinking of a thread discussed recently in the Society forum...[wis]

[FunkOdyssey]

So was I, hence the title [lol]

[randolfe]

It's interesting that cells from both male and female reproductive systems seem to possibly hold certain basic secrets of life.