Super Stem Cells Enhance Capabilities by Changing Diet

A recent University of Copenhagen study created stem cells that are better at transforming into other cell types by altering their diet. These enhanced stem cells outperform regular ones in generating specialized cells like liver, skin, or nerve cells.

The study, titled “Altering metabolism programs cell identity via NAD+-dependent deacetylation,” appears in The EMBO Journal.

“Robert Bone, Assistant Professor at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), explains, “We show that by modifying their diet, stem cells can rejuvenate into ‘super stem cells,’ reprogramming them to process energy differently.”

“The overall outcome is that these stem cells act as though they are from an earlier developmental stage, which boosts their ability to differentiate into other types of cells.”

The researchers specifically altered the type of sugar available to the stem cells in the growth medium, which the cells use to produce energy.

These stem cells not only excel at differentiating but also stay healthier and more robust over time than those grown under standard conditions. Joshua Brickman, the corresponding author and Professor at reNEW, explains, “This is achieved with a fairly simple method.”

Potential Future Applications of “Super Stem Cells” Highlighted by Joshua Brickman

Joshua Brickman highlights the numerous potential future applications of “super stem cells.”

Having discovered a simple way to rejuvenate cells, we aim to explore its potential across different types, such as liver or heart cells, to treat conditions like heart failure or liver cirrhosis. We may also be able to regenerate aging cells and address diseases such as Parkinson’s, osteoporosis, or diabetes.”

One area the researchers are focusing on is fertility treatments, particularly in vitro fertilization (IVF). “Super stem cells” are highly effective at producing tissue formed during early embryonic development, crucial for successful IVF.

“One thing the ‘super stem cells’ seem to excel at is producing a cell lineage that becomes the yolk sac. Previous studies have shown that the creation of a yolk sac in embryos grown in a dish is crucial for their ability to implant and result in successful pregnancies,” says Robert Bone.

“We hope to enhance IVF techniques by creating a culture for IVF that incorporates this same metabolic process. Ultimately, we aim to improve implantation success rates by integrating it into the clinic’s embryo culture protocols,” adds Joshua Brickman.

Stem cells are unique cells capable of self-replication and differentiating into specialized types like liver, skin, or nerve cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) come from embryos and can be grown in a lab to become specialized cells.

The Future of Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cells as Tools for Healing and Repair

Looking ahead, researchers envision using stem cells to create new therapies that could replace or repair damaged tissues and organs, or restore functions lost due to illness or injury. This field is known as regenerative medicine.

In this study, scientists developed a new culture medium for mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Essentially, they swapped glucose, a type of sugar, with galactose in the culture. This shift in “diet” interrupts normal glucose metabolism and forces the cells to rely on oxidative phosphorylation for energy.

This change in nutrient source causes the ESCs to revert to an earlier developmental stage, which boosts their ability to differentiate into other cell types.

The researchers discovered that this metabolic shift activated a specific signaling protein known to control cellular aging. This activation enhanced the binding of other key proteins to DNA.

Streamlining the Genome: How Metabolic Changes Enhance Genetic Efficiency

As a result of this new metabolic process, the DNA becomes more densely “packed” in regions containing redundant genetic information, while areas with critical instructions remain more accessible. This adjustment reduces unnecessary genetic noise and amplifies the relevant signals.

This improved “signal-to-noise ratio” helps the stem cells better understand their roles, making them act like cells from an earlier developmental phase and improving their performance.

The researchers also found that a decline in the “signal-to-noise ratio” contributes to certain signs of aging.It’s like taking elderly people to a noisy restaurant where they struggle to hear due to both a quiet speaker and background noise. Aging stem cells face a similar challenge when trying to interpret their genomes.

Read the original article on: Physorg

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