Creating human stem cells from chemical molecules

Chinese scientists have transformed human somatic cells back into pluripotent stem cells using chemical molecules.

A team of researchers led by scientist Deng Hongkui from Peking University announced the discovery of a technique for chemical cell reprogramming for the first time.

Stem cells. Illustration: AFP

In the past, cell intrinsic components, including the oocyte cytoplasm and transcription factors, have been used to reprogram cells in human tissues or organs into pluripotent stem cells. The ability to multiply to make every other cell type in the body.

Deriving from the way lower animals like the water salamander regenerate its limbs, the researchers demonstrated that highly differentiated human vegetative cells can undergo plastic changes. , which are affected by certain chemical molecules. They then successfully selected a class of chemicals that helped lead to the reverse differentiation of the cells, ultimately creating pluripotent stem cells that express key features of embryonic stem cells.

Dang Hong Khue, co-author of the study, said the chemical reprogramming method was "safer, simpler, and easier to be standardized and used in clinical practice" than conventional methods. know before.

The technique could be scaled up to effectively culture human cells with a variety of functions, the researchers say, opening new hope in the treatment of deadly diseases.