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By using modified mRNA technology similar to the approach used in developing COVID-19 vaccines, the researchers successfully “awakened” these dormant stem cells, enabling them to divide in a controlled manner.
By Pesach Benson, TPS
Israeli researchers announced a new method for expanding adult stem cells from human bone marrow outside the body on Monday with the potential to revolutionize bone marrow transplants and regenerative medicine.
The technique offers particular hope to patients undergoing chemotherapy, people with genetic blood disorders, and individuals in need of bone marrow transplants but unable to source a sufficient number of stem cells from donors.
Until now, adult stem cells from bone marrow remained in a dormant state and were much less active compared to stem cells from umbilical cord blood.
“Active” refers to stem cells that are actively dividing, differentiating, and able to generate new cells to replenish or repair tissues and organs.
While most stem cells taken from an umbilical cord are active, a high proportion of stem cells extracted from the bone marrow of adult donors are dormant.
However, a new approach developed by scientists from Tel Aviv University and the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan uses modified mRNA technology to activate these dormant stem cells, significantly increasing the available pool for transplantation without needing rare bone marrow donors.
The findings, published in the peer-reviewed Nature Immunology, are the result of a collaborative effort led by Dr. Tomer Itkin from Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, alongside researchers from Sheba Medical Center.
The study also involved contributions from the Weill Cornell Medical College, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, and the University of Toronto Medical Center.
“This new method significantly expands the available pool of stem cells for transplantation without relying on rare bone marrow donors,” said research leader Dr. Tomer Itkin.
“Additionally, the method can be used to treat patients whose stem cells have undergone genetic correction, such as those with thalassemia and hereditary anemia, as well as patients who have undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and have an insufficient number of stem cells for autologous transplantation,” he said.
The research was based on a comprehensive analysis of RNA sequencing and epigenetic DNA sequencing, which led to the discovery of a key protein — the Fli-1 transcription factor — that can activate stem cells of the immune and blood system.
By using modified mRNA technology similar to the approach used in developing COVID-19 vaccines, the researchers successfully “awakened” these dormant stem cells, enabling them to divide in a controlled manner.
Moreover, traditional attempts to awaken dormant stem cells carried the potential of cancer from uncontrolled cell proliferation. If stem cells are activated without proper regulation, they may divide excessively or mutate.
In the study, the stem cells were grown on endothelial cells that simulate the blood vessel environment of bone marrow.
This not only helped the cells integrate more effectively but also demonstrated their enhanced ability to restore blood production under transplant conditions, providing a promising alternative to current bone marrow transplant techniques.
The technique expands the pool of available stem cells for patients in need of donations. It also opens new possibilities for patients to use their own stem cells without needing external donors.
The next phase of research will focus on clinical trials to bring this groundbreaking technology into widespread use.
The team also plans to apply this method to regenerate other tissues, including those lacking adult stem cells, such as the heart, which could further expand the scope of regenerative treatments.
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