scholarly journals Epigenetic modifications of embryonic stem cells: current trends and relevance in developing regenerative medicine

2008 ◽  
Vol Volume 1 ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Chung
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Current Trends

Regenerative Medicine: Applications and Development in Urology

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
F. Pinto ◽  
A. Calarco ◽  
A. Brescia ◽  
E. Sacco ◽  
A. D'addessi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
Engineering Applications

Purpose Congenital abnormalities and acquired disorders can lead to organ damage and loss. Nowadays, transplantation represents the only effective treatment option. However, there is a marked decrease in the number of organ donors, which is even yearly worsening due to the population aging. The regenerative medicine represents a realistic option that allows to restore and maintain the normal functions of tissues and organs. This article reviews the principles of regenerative medicine and the recent advances with regard to its application to the genitourinary tract. Recent findings The field of regenerative medicine involves different areas of technology, such as tissue engineering, stem cells and cloning. Tissue engineering involves the field of cell transplantation, materials science and engineering in order to create functional replacement tissues. Stem cells and cloning permit the extraction of pluripotent, embryonic stem cells offering a potentially limitless source of cells for tissue engineering applications. Most current strategies for tissue engineering depend upon a sample of autologous cells from the patient's diseased organ. Biopsies from patients with extensive end-stage organ failure, however, may not yield enough normal cells. In these situations, stem cells are envisaged as being an alternative source. Stem cells can be derived from discarded human embryos (human embryonic stem cells), from fetal tissue or from adult sources (bone marrow, fat, skin). Therapeutic cloning offers a potentially limitless source of cells for tissue engineering applications. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering scientists have increasingly applied the principles of cell transplantation, materials science and bioengineering to construct biological substitutes that will restore and maintain normal function in urological diseased and injured tissues such as kidney, ureter, bladder, urethra and penis. Conclusions Regenerative medicine offers several applications in acquired and congenital genitourinary diseases. Tissue engineering, stem cells and, mostly, cloning have been applied in experimental studies with excellent results. Few preliminary human applications have been developed with promising results.

Nuclear transfer and oocyte cryopreservation

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chien Chang ◽  
Li-Ying Sung ◽  
Tomokazu Amano ◽  
X. Cindy Tian ◽  
Xiangzhong Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Oocyte Cryopreservation ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Therapeutic Cloning ◽  
Human Oocytes

Somatic cells can be reprogrammed to a totipotent state through nuclear transfer or cloning, because it has been demonstrated that the oocyte has the ability to reprogramme an adult nucleus into an embryonic state that can initiate the development of a new organism. Therapeutic cloning, whereby nuclear transfer is used to derive patient-specific embryonic stem cells, embraces an entire new opportunity for regenerative medicine. However, a key obstacle for human therapeutic cloning is that the source of fresh human oocytes is extremely limited. In the present review, we propose prospective sources of human oocytes by using oocyte cryopreservation, such as an oocyte bank and immature oocytes. We also address some potential issues associated with nuclear transfer when using cryopreserved oocytes. In the future, if the efficacy and efficiency of cryopreserved oocytes are comparable to those of fresh oocytes in human therapeutic cloning, the use of cryopreserved oocytes would be invaluable and generate a great impact to regenerative medicine.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document