Does government regulation inhibit embryonic stem cell research and can it be effective?

Novel insights into the potential applications of stem cells in pulmonary hypertension therapy

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) refers to a group of deadly lung diseases characterized by vascular lesions in the microvasculature and a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The prevalence of PH has increased over time. Currently, the treatment options available for PH patients have limited efficacy, and none of them can fundamentally reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Stem cells represent an ideal seed with proven efficacy in clinical studies focusing on liver, cardiovascular, and nerve diseases. Since the potential therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on PH was first reported in 2006, many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of stem cells in PH animal models and suggested that stem cells can help slow the deterioration of lung tissue. Existing PH treatment studies basically focus on the paracrine action of stem cells, including protein regulation, exosome pathway, and cell signaling; however, the specific mechanisms have not yet been clarified. Apoptotic and afunctional pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) and alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) are two fundamental promoters of PH although they have not been extensively studied by researchers. This review mainly focuses on the supportive communication and interaction between PMVECs and AECs as well as the potential restorative effect of stem cells on their injury. In the future, more studies are needed to prove these effects and explore more radical cures for PH.

20th Anniversary of Isolation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells: A Personal Perspective

Following Jamie Thomson's lecture on primate embryonic stem cells (ESCs) at a meeting I had organized in March 1997, in Israel, to celebrate receipt of the Wolf Prize in Agriculture to my colleague and friend Neal First, frozen human embryos donated for research in Israel were shipped to Wisconsin. The five hESC lines (H1, H7, H9, H13, and H14) were established by early 1998 and transferred to my laboratory just before publication of their existence in Science, on November 6, 1998. The distribution of the cells from my institute to several laboratories, as early as 1999, enhanced the development of hESC research worldwide. My personal perspective regarding the scientific and political events surrounding this story are presented.

A survey of parameters involved in the establishment of new lines of human embryonic stem cells

Since the derivation of the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines by Thomson and coworkers in 1998, more than 1,200 different hESC lines have been established worldwide. Nevertheless, there is still a recognized interest in the establishment of new lines of hESC, particularly from HLA types and ethnic groups currently underrepresented among the available lines. The methodology of hESC derivation has evolved significantly since 1998, when human LIF (hLIF) was used for maintenance of pluripotency. However, there are a number of different strategies for the several steps involved in establishing a new line of hESC. Here we make a survey of the most relevant parameters used between 1998 and 2010 for the derivation of the 375 hESC lines deposited in two international stem cell registries, and able to form teratomas in immunocompromised mice. Although we identify some trends in the methodology for establishing hESC lines, our data reveal a much greater heterogeneity of strategies than what is used for derivation of murine ESC lines, indicating that optimum conditions have not been consolidated yet, and thus, hESC establishment is still an evolving field of research.

Stem cell policy in the Obama age: UK and US perspectives

In this article, we compare two different approaches to establishing stem cell policy: a defined policy (the UK) and a changing policy (the US). The UK has a clear and precise policy, agreed upon and supported by lawmakers, scientists and the public. By contrast, US federal policy is continuously being updated based on balancing political ideologies and advances in science, and it only regulates federal funding. By investigating these contrasting policy approaches, we hope to demonstrate the impact of policy on stem cell research and public opinion.

Stem cell research in Spain: if only they were windmills

Regenerative medicine has been endorsed in Spain as a strategic, interdisciplinary topic to boost biomedical research. Special programs have been developed to promote collaborative research efforts among Spanish basic, applied, translational, and clinical researchers. Here, we present what we consider Spain's main current assets in this area.