Stem cells from hair follicles is a potential for regeneration

Scientists have announced that stem cells from &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/377/14737_baldness.html ' target=_blank>hair follicles can develop into neurons, muscle and more, suggesting that hair is a potent and accessible source of cells for regenerating tissues. A ScienCentral News report explains that the research means these potentially precious cells may be everywhere there's hair. Scientists at AntiCancer, Inc. of San Diego have coaxed adult stem cells in mice into turning into neurons, the nerve cells of the brain. Writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the authors say, the results of their work suggests a new "source of undifferentiated multi-potent stem cells." The next steps would be to better understand and isolate the hair follicle stem cells, and then move on to the tricky part of trying to actually grow these stem cells in the lab, reports Xinhuanet. According to ABC News, The best known source of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/377/14900_.html ' target=_blank>stem cells is the bone marrow, but researchers hope to find more easily accessible sites and want to experiment to see if different sources of stem cells may offer cells with different qualities. Stem cells are the body's master cells. So-called adult stem cells are found throughout the body. A more controversial source comes from days-old embryos. Robert Hoffman at San Diego-based AntiCancer Inc., and colleagues at the University of California San Diego and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said it may some day be possible to take a person's own stem cells from hair follicles and grow a tissue transplant. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, build on previous work that has found stem cells in hair follicles. In September a team at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and The Rockefeller University in New York found stem cells from hair follicles that grew hair, stretches of skin and sweat glands. In March, a team at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center found stem cells in mice that sprouted hair when transplanted, as well as to other types of skin cells. Researchers hope that transplanting stem cells could provide treatment for a range of diseases such as Parkinson's, in which brain cells are destroyed; &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/society/2002/10/21/38439.html ' target=_blank>diabetes, in which insulin-producing cells die; or spinal cord injuries. NR

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