Artificial blood - From idea to reality

Every year, the world needs about 50 million liters of blood to transmit to patients. This source of blood is taken from volunteers, people selling blood . However, blood sources not only meet the needs of treatment, passive and very expensive in screening and preservation. The preparation of artificial blood (MNT) to overcome these disadvantages is a very significant work that brings high efficiency in emergency and treatment.

From the failure of MNT made from hemoglobin animals .

At first, scientists thought of creating fluids like blood about pH, viscosity, osmotic pressure. However, these fluids can only provide emergency relief in cardiovascular events, but they cannot be replaced in the right way, because they cannot guarantee the role of oxygen hemoglobin transfer to tissues. . Moreover, transmission of large amounts can also be harmful. For example, transmitting many natrichloride solutions will cause vasoconstriction. In addition, it is not possible to treat blood diseases.

After nearly 20 years of MNT research until the end of 2004, despite controversy over the cause of failure, through this controversy, scientists realized that only the way of biosynthesis of red blood cells is similar to Natural red blood cells (cells containing hemoglobin nucleus) can overcome the disadvantages of MNT.

GS.Chris Cooper and experiment to create a new type of hemoglobin.

To produce birth MNT - synthesize red blood cells similar to nature

Manufacturing MNT from embryonic stem cells:

According to New Scientist , the project was funded 3 million pounds by a private Wellcome Trust, a research firm funded by British scientists. Accordingly, they took 100 embryo samples from maternity hospitals into different lines to synthesize red blood cells. One of these, RC-7, has resulted in the conversion of embryonic stem cells into blood cells and from the original blood cells to further multiply red blood cells (cells containing hemoglobin) that carry oxygen. From red blood cells, convert them into blood type O. MNT group O can be transmitted to people with other blood groups without causing adverse reactions. If based on the donor, blood type O is difficult to find because it only accounts for 7% of the population. According to the project, the first production can be about 1 million liters / year and will complete the project after 5 years.

Manufacturing MNT from skin stem cells:

The project is implemented at the Cancer and Stem Cell Research Institute , McMaster University (Canada). Previously, scientists took embryonic stem cells, differentiating them into blood cells but embryonic stem cells were too young, when differentiating into the blood cell wall was immature, irrelevant, furthermore, taking stem cells from The embryo will generate many ethical arguments. So later, scientists took stem cells from human skin of different ages including neonates. Then putting DNA into the stem cell (as a primer), the stem cells will differentiate into blood cells. Blood cells generated from stem cells of the skin have the advantage of being similar to mature blood cells, suitable for patients . According to TS. Mick Bhatia belongs to the above project, about 2012 will test MNT on humans, first will be used for people with white blood.

Manufacturing MNT from umbilical stem cells:

Ohio Arteriocyte Company received $ 1.95 million (in 2008) from the US Department of Defense to implement the MNT manufacturing project. Accordingly, they took stem cells from the umbilical cord, then turned stem cells into blood cells in large quantities by engineering the mechanism of bone marrow. Thanks to that technique, from one umbilical cord it is possible to produce 20 units of blood that are enough for 3 wounded soldiers (an average wounded soldier needs 6 units of blood). In July 2010, the company successfully fabricated the first MNT, completely identical to the natural blood type, and was submitted to FDA for evaluation and safety inspection.

According to Don Brown, the cost of MNT is $ 5,000 for a pint (0.57 liters). However, the company is improving technology, so that each umbilical cord will produce more blood. One of these ways is to create stem cells that nourish stem cells so that they function as blood cells as the mechanism of bone marrow activity. When improving technology and expanding production scale, the price is about 1,000 USD per pint (0.57 liters). According to Arteriocyte Company and the US Department of Defense, in 2013, blood will be tested on humans and put into use five years later.

Artificial blood is not the same as natural blood

Production of other hemoglobin with natural hemoglobin

According to GS. Chris Cooper (Essex University - UK), natural hemoglobin has the following disadvantages: When removed from the protection of red blood cells can be poisoned, destroyed to produce iron ions; Iron ions will oxidize to produce unusual brown or black products. The very fact that hemoglobin produces free oxygen radicals is harmful to the heart and kidneys. Therefore, according to GS. Chris Cooper, the biggest challenge in manufacturing MNT is the natural modification of hemoglobin, which means creating a new type of hemoglobin that transports oxygen and releases CO2 but is not toxic and stable (may not require cold storage). ) and undamaged (long-term existence in the circulatory system). Under the direction of GS. Chris Coope, experts at Essex University (UK) have attempted to create a new type of hemoglobin from a special chemical and cow blood raised in microbiological environments, which are currently offering patents.

Producing albumin-heme is not the same as natural red blood cells

Japanese scientists Waseda, Keio and Kumamoto combine a molecule consisting of iron and albumin called albumin-heme. Although albumin-heme is not the same as natural red blood cells, it is still considered MNT because albumin-heme can absorb oxygen in the lungs and transfer to tissues as a function of natural red blood cells. The advantage of albumin-heme is that it is smaller than red blood cells so it can creep into obstructed areas to provide oxygen, so it can be used for people with stroke. A Japanese company has been looking for genetic changes to make many albumin for clinical trials to improve the production of albumin-heme.

After 30 years of research, MNT is no longer in the scope of experiment but has turned to industrial production. MNT will not only meet the blood needs but also ensure the quality and have some other preeminent features.