New treatment tested on mice
Barcelona, 7- ago (Europa Press) –
A study by the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona has identified a viral defence protein that accelerates the production of female stem cells, the CRG said in a statement on Wednesday.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, discovered a treatment that speeds up the creation and quality of pluripotent stem cells in mice.
The work is based on the interaction between the protein interferon gamma and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which can become any type of cell.
The researchers noted that adding interferon gamma to a culture of mouse neurons reduces the time it takes the body to reprogram induced pluripotent stem cells, saving resources.
For people who have two X chromosomes
CRG researcher Mercedes Barreiro explained that interferon gamma “can help cells respond to viral infection by unlocking DNA and rapidly activating gene expression.”
Barreiro stressed that this discovery has the potential to advance medical research and testing of drugs and regenerative therapies targeting people with two X chromosomes: women, trans men, or men who have an extra X chromosome due to Klinefelter syndrome.
“Our findings are a step forward in making high-quality iPSCs available for females,” said CRG researcher Bernhard Bayer, who noted that personalized medicine for women requires research into these cells.
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