Genetics have created the living cells of the liver in the laboratory
Japanese Genetics used stem cells are induced to produce in the laboratory of a simple analog of the liver. Experts say that they managed to create a fabric, such as those that make up the liver. Despite the fact that many aspects of the work have not yet been released publicly, in itself an achievement already a significant scientific breakthrough and allows you to achieve success in the treatment of diseases of the liver mass. Takanori Takaba from Yokohama City University said that his group carried out the work - this is only the first step on a very long road to the creation of an artificial liver. According to him, now using induced pluripotent stem cells have managed to create a liver-like tissue. In turn ips-cells were obtained by genetic reprogramming of skin stem cells to an embryonic state, and program change their development in the future. According to experts, the process of cell transformation took nine days, and then in the hands of geneticists were real cells, hepatocytes (mature liver cells). After receiving the individual cells of the liver, researchers using a special chemical engineering for a couple of days combined cells in three-dimensional structures that resemble tiny pieces of liver. Earlier, in the same manner, Japanese experts have created artificial blood vessels. Now experts say they conducted experiments on cells of laboratory mice but the methods used are universal and should be suitable for humans. In addition, the researchers conducted a functional genetic test created cells and found that their biological functions are identical to the present liver cells. By cells metabolically responsive to different drugs in the same way as the real liver cells. Takaba said that can still take years before the established technique can be used to treat people with liver disease. According to the scientist, the new technique can be shown and people with chronic liver disease, but before artificial cells can be implanted, you should make sure that they are stable. "People with chronic conditions need to create a cell in a medium liver worked at least five years, that the patient could recover in the postoperative period," - he says.
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