A group of scientists led by Stanford and Tokyo University professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi plans to begin an experiment in August to grow human organs in a pig's body using induced stem cells (iPs).
According to the Nikkei newspaper, if they succeed, the real application of this technology in regenerative medicine is possible in 5-10 years.
During the experiment, scientists genetically modify a fertilized pig's egg so that the animal does not have a pancreas in the future, removing the cells responsible for this. After that, a mammalian embryo will be introduced into the uterus of an adult at an early stage of development, with the replacement of the missing structural elements with induced human stem cells.
The researchers believe they will be able to adapt to the pig's body, which will lead to the development of the pancreas.
It is assumed that even if the experiment is successful, it will not be possible to use this technology for a complete transplant of this organ. Meanwhile, it will open up the possibility of growing pancreatic islet cells, which are responsible for insulin levels in a person's blood.
The group of scientists intends to determine the ideal conditions for the growth of human tissues and organs, which could subsequently be transplanted to humans during the operation. In particular, the experiment will attempt to create a human liver, which will help create a new method of cancer treatment. Scientists also plan to test new types of drugs on grown organs.
After the Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka won the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for his research in the field of stem cells in 2012, interest in this topic from both the public and the Japanese government has grown exponentially.
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Regenerative medicine has been declared one of the priority directions of the development of science. Despite this, local legislation prohibits experiments with the growth of human cells and organs in animals. Nakauchi's research also falls under this ban, so they will be held at Stanford University.
iPs cells under a certain chemical action are capable of becoming cells of any type, which theoretically makes it possible to grow tissues for different organs. However, their further transplantation into the body can lead to the emergence of malignant tumors.