Introduction
According to a recent report, researchers from the Johns Hopkins University have successfully customized blood cells. Through a series of experiments, the scientists have been able to remove a genetic error in stem cells, which result in sickle-cell disease. After incorporating the correction, they were able to reproduce the stem cells across generations. Using these edited stem cells, they were able to generate normal blood cells to support the breathing function of the body. The breathing improved in the animal models after the treatment. The authors of the study have published the results in the international journal Stem Cells.
Current Treatment Scenario
The need for the blood transfusion arises due to the quick death of sickle cells in the body. Apart from this, the body will start accumulating iron due to the excessive destruction of affected red blood cells. These iron deposits cause adverse reactions in the body. Therefore, the patients with sickle-cell anaemia need frequent blood transfusions to stay healthy. Other than this, they have only few other workable treatment options left. There is a problem with the current treatment using transfused blood. The patients may develop immunity against the transfused blood over a period. Hence, it is not the right option for the sickle-cell anemia patients in the long run.
New Treatment Method
According to a leading member of Institute for Cell Engineering, affiliated to Johns Hopkins University, it would be possible to offer sickle-cell anaemia patients with a workable treatment option in the near future. He further added that this method can even be used to treat other blood-related disorders as well in a short span of time. Since the new approach directly deals with the cause of the disease, it has fewer side-effects in the body.
How Re-programmed Blood Becomes Elixir of Life?
In order to make the sickle cells behave normally, the researchers took such blood cells and sniped out the affected DNA from them. They had used for this purpose a new kind of gene editing technique known as CRISPR. Later, they inserted the engineered piece of DNA into the pluripotent cells in laboratory conditions. These omnipotent cells have the capacity to make any other cell in the body. Since they have infinite growing capabilities, they are grown and nurtured in the laboratory. In the last step, the genetically engineered stem cells were then allowed to grow into mature blood cells. Finally, affected patients were given these engineered stem cells to help them recover completely from the disease in a stipulated time period.
New beginning for the sickle cell anemia patient is in the horizon. If developed into a viable treatment model, it would provide lease of life for these patients. Let us hope so. More such information can be had from the link http://tvmbala.blogspot.com.
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