This patent teaches methods of stimulating nervous system regeneration by activating an immune response against the nervous system. Specifically, stimulation of immunity against antigens in the central nervous system such as myelin is associated with induction of autoimmunity, for example in the animal model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. This is why this patent is interesting, because it is harnessing a process that is usually considered pathological but using it to stimulate regeneration.
The... [Read more]
This patent covers a mammalian cell that has properties of spores and is useful for regeneration of new skin.
Its first independent claim is:
A population of isolated mammalian or avian multipotent spore-like cells (MSLCs) isolated or cultured from skin tissue and which can differentiate into two or more mature skin cell type cells. wherein the MSLCs, when first isolated, are approximately one to ten microns in diameter, wherein the MSLCs are viable following essentially complete oxygen-deprivation for twenty four hours or more, wherein the MSLCs are surrounded by an... [Read more]
This is the composition of matter patent for the unrestricted somatic stem cell (USSC) that was under development by Viacell. These cells appear to have pluripotent properties as listed in the examples section.
The first independent claim of the patent covers:
"An isolated unrestricted somatic stem cell (USSC) prepared from human umbilical cord blood or placental blood, wherein said USSC is negative for the CD14 and CD45 antigens and positive for the CD13, CD29, CD44 and CD49e antigens, and wherein said USSC expresses fibulin-2 and lacks expression of hyaluronan... [Read more]
An argument made in the popular media is that adult stem cells are healing people "today", whereas embryonic stem cells are a thing of the future. In priniciple this is correct, however, my stomach turns when the proponents of adult stem cells use the example of "bone marrow transplantation". Bone marrow transplantation, while it is a sort of "stem cell therapy", it is not "regenerative" therapy in the strictest senst. In other words, if people are going to argue that adult stem cells are "better" than embryonic stem cells... [Read more]
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