Adult human stem cells as a platform for gene therapy: Fabricating a biological pacemaker.
Extract: Gene therapy and stem cells have become buzz words for future medical management. However, to date attempts to apply these technologies therapeutically have met with little success and, in the case of embryonic stem cells, have engendered political and philosophical debate. In this paper, we emphasize progress in one area of gene/stem cell therapy: the use of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs, precursor cells for tissues such as skin, bone and muscle that are found in bone marrow) as a platform for delivering genes. These cells are adult hMSCs, and therefore not subject to the restrictions placed by some societies on use of human embryonic stem cells. In addition, they can be loaded with genes using a technique known as electroporation, by which an electrical charge temporarily makes the cell membrane permeable. This technique carries none of the risks that accompany the use of viral vectors, another method of gene delivery. As an example of the utility of hMSCs as platforms for gene delivery, we will discuss the fabrication of biological pacemakers.
Rosen
Michael R
MR
Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacology, and Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Brink
Peter R
PR
Cohen
Ira S
IS
Robinson
Richard B
RB