According to the journal Nature Communications, a group of scientists from the University of North Carolina, together with their colleagues from China, have developed artificial stem cells that are designed to repair heart muscle. The first tests using artificial stem cells were successful.
Biotechnology specialists have made special nanoparticles that mimic real stem cells with their "behavior". The basis was made of nanoparticles from a biodegradable polymer of glycosylated lactic acid (PLGA). Cell growth factors are added to the base, and the entire complex of nanoparticles and growth factors is covered with a cell membrane.
In the course of a series of experiments on the restoration of cardiac tissue, both “standard” and artificial stem cells were used. In both cases, the result was the same: both variations of stem cells contributed equally to the repair of heart tissue. At the same time, synthetic cells have significant advantages over biological analogues: they do not increase the risk of developing tumors (since they cannot multiply). The cell membrane allows cells to escape the effects of the immune system and allows them to bind to living tissues in order to then release growth factors that have a healing effect. In addition, synthetic stem cells are more durable than conventional stem cells and can withstand freezing and subsequent thawing. While "natural" stem cells are very fragile, therefore their use is difficult.
At the moment, the properties of artificial stem cells have been tested in laboratory mice and found that they really promote tissue regeneration and can restore damaged heart cells after a heart attack. If the entire series of trials is successfully completed, the introduction of artificial stem cells into widespread practice can significantly expand the boundaries of regenerative medicine.
VLADIMIR KUZNETSOV
