Appears in Cloning and Stem Cells Journal
Scientists at Lifeline Cell Technology, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary
of International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), have successfully
created six unique human stem cell lines that appear capable of
differentiation into any cell type found in the human body using an
efficient method that does not require the use of fertilized embryos.
The creation of these new and unique stem cell lines, called
parthenogenetic stem cells or phESC, was reported Tuesday in the online
edition of Cloning and Stem Cells Journal http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/clo.2007.0033
in a peer-review scientific paper whose primary author is Elena S.
Revazova, M.D., PhD, and Chief Scientist at International Stem Cell
Corporation in Oceanside, California.
Dr. Revazova is one of the world's experts in
creating cell lines, and was formerly one of the leading cell biologists
in the Soviet Union before becoming a US citizen. She leads a team of
researchers at International Stem Cell Corporation, which develops stem
cells for the potential treatment of diabetes, liver disease and
diseases of the retina, and develops specialized cells and media that
scientists use in their stem cell research. It maintains corporate and
research facilities in Oceanside, California; production and product
development in Walkersville, Maryland; and maintains collaboration with
a major research facility in Moscow, Russia.
Dr. Revazova's paper entitled "Patient-Specific
Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Blastocysts",
describes a method using donated unfertilized eggs or "oocytes"
yielding six unique stem cell lines. The paper also reports that these
newly created phESC lines have the same potential to become any cell in
the human body, as do traditionally-derived embryonic stem cells made
from fertilized embryos.
"We have demonstrated a method of creating
parthenogenetic human embryonic cells" and
that such cells "can be differentiated in
vivo into the three germ layers that lead to all cell types found in
a human body," reported Dr. Revazova in the
research paper. The paper also reports that, "before
now, all attempts to produce human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells
have failed."
Co-author Jeffrey Janus, President of ISC, said the research showed
promise for creating therapeutically useful cells for the woman who
donated the source oocyte "because they are 'MHC-matched'
to the oocyte donor." "Parthenogenetic stem cell lines that are
genetically related to the recipient may overcome rejection problems and
thus may have the potential to give significant therapeutic benefit to
patients," he said. In addition, "Parthenogenetically-derived
stem cells provide an alternative to embryonic stem cells derived from
fertilized embryos or from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)
technology."
The paper also reports that the new phESC lines were created with a
protocol that minimizes animal-derived components, making the derived
phESC lines more suitable for potential clinical use.
The ability of phESC lines to form derivates from three germ layers that
lead to all the cells found in a human body was proven by subcutaneous
injection of the phESC into immunodeficient rats and mice and the
subsequent formation of complex tissue structures called teratomas.
Histological examination demonstrated the presence of organized
structures, including epithelia, capsula, smooth muscule, adipose
tissue, hematogenic tissue, neural tubes and glandular epithelia. The
research also demonstrated that phESC were capable of giving rise to
beating cardiomyocyte-like cells.
The paper states that "further investigations
of the characteristics of phESC lines and their immune matching are
necessary to determine their suitability for use in cell therapy." ABOUT LIFELINE CELL TECHONOLGY AND INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL
CORPORATION:
International Stem Cell is a biotechnology company currently focused on
developing therapeutic and research products. In the area of therapeutic
product development, ISCO's objective is to create an unlimited source
of human cells for use in the treatment of several diseases, including
diabetes, liver disease and retinal disease through cell transplant
therapy. In furtherance of this objective, ISCO is currently developing
human stem cells, techniques to cause those stem cells to be
"differentiated" into the specific cell types required for transplant,
and manufacturing protocols to produce the cells without contamination
with animal by-products, a characteristic likely to be important in
meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements. ISCO through its
subsidiary, Lifeline Cell Technology, produces and markets a line of
products for research that includes serum-free growth media and reagents
essential to the process of creating and differentiating stem cells into
therapeutic products needed for therapeutic cell transplantation
research to academic and commercial researchers in related fields. For
more information, visit the ISCO website at: www.internationalstemcell.com
or http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the
business of ISCO and its subsidiary. Investors are cautioned that such
forward-looking statements regarding ISCO, its technology, clinical
development and potential applications, constitute forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without
limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization
of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or
regulatory approvals, need to obtain future capital, and maintenance of
intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from
the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated
together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business,
particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the
company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. International Stem
Cell Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
|