Česká Genetická Banka

NATURE: 7. 2. 2013

NATURE: Negligible immunogenicity of terminally differentiated cells derived from induced pluripotent or embryonic stem cells

"The advantages of using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) instead of embryonic stem (ES) cells in regenerative medicine centre around circumventing concerns about the ethics of using ES cells and the likelihood of immune rejection of ES-cell-derived tissues^{1, 2}. However, partial reprogramming and genetic instabilities in iPSCs^{3, 4, 5, 6} could elicit immune responses in transplant recipients even when iPSC-derived differentiated cells are transplanted. iPSCs are first differentiated into specific types of cells in vitro for subsequent transplantation. Although model transplantation experiments have been conducted using various iPSC-derived differentiated tissues^{7, 8, 9, 10} and immune rejections have not been observed, careful investigation of the immunogenicity of iPSC-derived tissue is becoming increasingly critical, especially as this has not been the focus of most studies done so far. A recent study reported immunogenicity of iPSC- but not ES-cell-derived teratomas¹¹ and implicated several causative genes. Nevertheless, some controversy has arisen regarding these findings¹². Here we examine the immunogenicity of differentiated skin and bone marrow tissues derived from mouse iPSCs. To ensure optimal comparison of iPSCs and ES cells, we established ten integration-free iPSC and seven ES-cell lines using an inbred mouse strain, C57BL/6. We observed no differences in the rate of success of transplantation when skin and bone marrow cells derived from iPSCs were compared with ES-cell-derived tissues. Moreover, we observed limited or no immune responses, including T-cell infiltration, for tissues derived from either iPSCs or ES cells, and no increase in the expression of the immunogenicity-causing Zg16 and Hormad1 genes in regressing skin and teratoma tissues. Our findings suggest limited immunogenicity of transplanted cells differentiated from iPSCs and ES cells."

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v494/n7435/full/nature11807.html

 

NATURE: Tracking metastasis and tricking cancer

"Physics- and engineering-based approaches are helping researchers stop the spread of cancer by anticipating tumour cells' moves and habits."

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v494/n7435/full/494131a.html

 

NATURE: Reproductive biology: Puberty controlled by DNA changes

"Sexual maturation in female mammals is controlled by specific changes to the chemical groups attached to DNA — a type of 'epigenetic' change — which results in the coordinated action of multiple genes. (...)"

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v494/n7435/full/494009d.html

 

NATURE: Column: world view: Genetic privacy needs a more nuanced approach

"The US National Institutes of Health has warned that research is at a “crucial juncture”. Bioethicists are fretting. Scientists are anxious. And all because an article in Science last month raised doubts about the privacy of volunteers who hand over their genetic data (M. Gymrek et al.Science 339, 321–324; 2013). “Oh my God, we really did this,” said Yaniv Erlich of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge to The New York Times, after his group managed to cross-reference information from public databases to put names to samples of DNA donated to research. One can imagine law enforcement salivating at the prospect of turning a bloodstain into a name and address. (...)"

http://www.nature.com/news/genetic-privacy-needs-a-more-nuanced-approach-1.12363

 

NATURE: Editorial: Unknown territory

"Millions of tourists flock to Japan each year to enjoy its rich cultural and historical heritage. But some visitors are shunning the usual tourist trail in favour of another attraction — experimental stem-cell treatments. In late December, the Japanese newspaper The Mainichi reported that a clinic in the Hakata district of Fukuoka in southwest Japan, which has links to the Seoul-based biotechnology firm RNL Bio, has been treating some 500 South Koreans a month with stem cells. Another report late last month in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper claimed to have found more than 20 clinics that advertise unproven stem-cell treatments in the country. (...)"

http://www.nature.com/news/unknown-territory-1.12360