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Article: Stem cells could help rebuild the immune system, repair vocal chords.(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Transplant News
- Article date:
- August 12, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Transplant Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In 2 separate experiments, scientists have used stem cells to grow thymus organs in mice and to repair damaged vocal chords in dogs.
In the first study, Australian scientists found that epithelial stem cells injected into mice attracted red blood cell-producing stem cells and converted them into infection-fighting T-cells, which then generated complete and functional thymus glands.
The thymus, a small lymphoid organ situated in the neck, is the sole producer of T-cells and also generates other cells vital to the immune system. But the organ's ability to produce T-cells is drastically reduced by aging-by age 20, the thymus is only 1% functional. Viruses ...