PARIS: Some stem cells can lay dormant for more
than two weeks in a dead person and then be revived to divide into new,
functioning cells, scientists in France said on Tuesday.
The
research, published in the journal Nature Communications, unlocks further
knowledge about the versatility of these cells, touted as a future source to
replenish damaged tissue.
"Remarkably,
skeletal muscle stem cells can survive for 17 days in humans and 16 days in
mice, post mortem well beyond the 1-2 days currently thought," they said
in a statement.
The
stem cells retained their ability to differentiate into perfectly functioning
muscle cells, they found.
"This
discovery could form the basis of a new source, and more importantly new
methods of conservation, for stem cells used to treat a number of
pathologies," the statement said.
Stem
cells are infant cells that develop into the specialised tissues of the body.
They
have sparked great excitement as they offer hopes of rebuilding organs damaged
by disease or accident.
The
study led by Fabrice Chretien of France's Pasteur Institute found that to
survive in adverse conditions, skeletal muscle stem cells lower their
metabolism to enter a dormant state, using less energy.
The
team then also looked at stem cells taken from bone marrow, where blood cells
are produced.
These
remained viable for four days after death in lab mice and retained their
ability to reconstitute tissue after a bone marrow transplant.
"By
harvesting stem cells from the bone marrow of consenting donors post mortem,
doctors could address to a certain extent the shortage of tissues and
cells," said the statement, issued by the four institutes backing the
research.
The
investigators sounded a word of caution, though.
-
AFP/al
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