Giving stem cells a kick in vitro with stromal derived factor-1

Cincinnati, OH -

Commercialization of stem cell therapy is difficult since sometimes one doesn't really know what the product is. Additionally, there could be many products that are developed that are used in the implimentation of a single therapy.

A current publication (Pasha et al. Preconditioning Enhances Cell Survival and Differentiation of Stem Cells during Transplantation in Infarcted Myocardium. Cardiovasc Res. 2007 Sep 22) describes a very interesting and easy-to-perform stem cell manipulation that could be developed as a product, AND ALSO has the potential to increase stem cell efficacy.

While it is known that mesenchymal stem cells administered intravenously have healing activity on damaged myocardial tissue, this therapeutic effect can still be improved.

The researchers in the current study cultured mesenchymal stem cells for one hour in the presence of SDF-1, with an antagonist of SDF-1 receptor (AMD 3100), SDF-1 and the antagonist, as well as cultured the stem cells by themselves. The cells were then analyzed in vitro by exposure to hypotonic stress and in vivo by administration systemically into a rats that were treated by LAD coronary artery ligation.

In vitro evaluation revealed that the SDF-1 treatment preserved viability in contrast to controls, as well as ability of the stem cells to proliferate.

In vivo evaluation demonstrated improvement in cardiac function in animals that recieved the SDF-1 primed mesenchymal stem cells.

This study is of great interest to commercialization endevours and we only hope that the investigators have filed IP.