Bioengineered platelets
Platelets "from a test tube" will be able to replace donor ones
Platelets are a component of the blood responsible for the clotting process. Platelet transfusion can be a lifesaver for patients who are struggling with cancer, the effects of chemotherapy, infections, immune diseases or diseases associated with a shortage or malfunction of their own platelets.
About 4.5 million units of platelet concentrate are transfused worldwide every year. The lifetime of donor platelets is no more than a week, and the material for transfusion, as a rule, is less than what patients need. In addition, donor cells can retain infections of the donor, as well as cause an immune response from the recipient's body.
A group of scientists from Japan conducted a series of experiments based on previous assumptions that adipose tissue could become the basis for creating a stem cell line that would allow functional platelets to be obtained in just 12 days.
Initially, the researchers tried to obtain platelets from two other stem cell lines, including induced pluripotent ones. They noticed that the cells isolated from adipose tissue, which were used as a control, produced cells similar in size to megakaryocytes and platelets. These cells also expressed some genes important for platelet formation.
Further testing on mice showed that platelets obtained "in vitro" from adipose tissue behave in the same way as donor platelets. In addition, the same marker proteins are present on their surface, as well as granules that are key to the blood clotting process.
Scientists expect to soon launch preclinical studies on laboratory animals to study the effectiveness and safety of using platelets "from a test tube", and then proceed to human trials.
Article by Tozawa et al. Unique megakaryocytes and platelets from novel human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell line published in the journal Blood.
Anastasia Poznyak, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru / based on the materials of the American Society of Hematology: Platelets Grown from Stem Cells May be Alternative to Donated Platelets.