A new system for growing human embryonic stem cells could make therapies utilising the cells safer for patients, concludes a study published online by The Lancet (Tuesday, March 8, 2005).
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to treat a wide range of serious and often life-threatening conditions. Once isolated from the embryo, stem cells are usually cultured in animal derived material called feeder layers. However, exposing stem cells to live animal cells presents a risk of contamination with retroviruses and other pathogens that could be transmitted to the patient.
Robert Lanza and colleagues (Advanced Cell Technology, MA, USA) used a sterile protein matrix to generate and culture embryonic stem cells. A new stem cell line was derived from human embryos under completely cell and serum free conditions. After more than 6 months of unspecialised growth the cells retained the potential to form particular tissues.