Washington DC [US], March 16 (ANI): Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have pioneered a groundbreaking method in stem cells development, to convert skin cells directly into neurons, bypassing the need to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This breakthrough could pave the way for revolutionary treatments for spinal cord injuries and neurodegenerative disease such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
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Traditionally, converting a skin cell into a neuron required an intermediate step where the skin cell was first transformed into a pluripotent stem cell before being reprogrammed into a neuron. However, MIT researchers have now streamlined the process, enabling a direct transformation from skin cell to neuron.
Efficient and Scalable Neuron Production
Working with mouse cells, the team developed a highly efficient conversion technique, producing more than 10 neurons from a single skin cell. If successfully replicated in human cells, this approach could generate vast quantities for motor neurons. Such neurons could serve as a potential; treatment for patients suffering from mobility-impairing conditions.
“We were able to achieve yields that allow us to explore whether these cells could serve as viable candidates for cell replacement therapies. That’s where reprogramming technologies like this can lead us, “said Katie Galloway, the WM keck Career Development Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering at MIT.
Potential for Clinical Applications
To test their method’s effectiveness, researchers successfully generated motor neurons and implanted them into the brains of mice, where they integrated with host tissues. This marks a significant step toward developing cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries.
Currently, clinical trials using neurons derived from iPSCs are underway for ALS treatment. However, MIT’s innovative process has the potential to enhance these efforts by expanding the availability of neurons, facilitating easier testing and broader application in human treatments.
The MIT team is now focusing on increasing the efficiency of human cell conversion to further refine this technology. With an optimized process, scientists hope to generate large numbers of functional neurons for regenerative medicine.
The research was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
This breakthrough highlights the immense potential of direct cells reprogramming in revolutionizing neurological treatments, bringing science one step loser to effective therapies for spinal cord injuries and ALS.