Artificial skin for gene therapy

American scientists have developed artificial skin for gene therapyCopper news
American scientists have found out that gene therapy can be carried out using artificial skin patches, reports New Scientist (Fake skin patches could deliver helpful genes).

The study of the new method was conducted by a group of specialists from the National Institutes of Health in Maryland under the leadership of John Vogel.

The researchers grew cells of the stratum corneum of the skin and fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells, in the laboratory. In the genome of these cells, scientists have embedded genes responsible for the production of atrial natriuretic peptide (PNP). This hormone is produced by the cells of the heart muscle and provides vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure.

After that, the grown cells were placed on a gel-like matrix, where they formed layers according to the structure of the skin. Sections of the resulting tissue were transplanted onto the backs of laboratory mice.

A few weeks after the transplant, the skin took root, and its cells began to produce PNP. As a result, according to the study, the level of blood pressure in animals decreased and remained low even after they were given food with a high salt content.

Vogel stated that areas of artificial skin are suitable for use in cases where there are difficulties with the introduction of hormones and other proteins into the body. He also noted that, if necessary, the skin can be easily removed. According to Vogel, at the next stage of the work, the researchers will test the new technique on pigs.

(The article by Jean-Philippe Therrien et al. "A gene therapy approach for long-term normalization of blood pressure in hypertensive mice by ANP-secreting human skin grafts" is published in PNAS – VM.)

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru12.01.2010