Duke University researchers have successfully engineered cartilage from induced pluripotent stem cells that were grown for use in tissue repair and studies pertaining to cartilage injury and osteoarthritis. According to the report, published online October 29, 2012 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) may be a viable source of "patient-specific articular cartilage tissue".
What are iPSCs? Induced pluipotent stem cells are derived from a technique that takes adult stem cells and converts them so they have the properties of embryonic stem cells. As we have come to learn, from years of debate surrounding the issue of stem cell research, adult stems cells have limited capability, while the use of embryonic stem cells has ethical issues. Researchers, using a mouse model, have demonstrated the ability to create an unlimited supply of stem cells that can turn into any type of tissue, including cartilage. This is essential since cartilage cannot regenerate by itself. Read more about the new findings.
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- Is Cartilage Regeneration an Option for Osteoarthritis?
- What Are Stem Cells?
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