Harnessing Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells have the potential to form a many different cell types, and can thus be a common cell source for many tissues. This potential, however, creates a major challenge: controlling the stem cell development so the desired cell type forms at the appropriate location.

In a recent study published in Molecular Therapy, Andersen, et al. developed a technology that shows promise for stem cells as therapies in regenerative medicine by successfully controlling whether the cells differentiated into bone or fat cells.

Toward this goal, the researchers combined multiple technologies. First, biomaterials were processed into porous structures (called scaffolds) on which cells could be grown. Then the scaffold was modified with nanoparticles containing small interfering RNA (siRNA). The nanoparticle formulation is crucial for a process referred to as silencing – in which certain, unwanted factors are not expressed.

Researchers used this silencing method to target two genes associated with stem cell development. They turned off a factor that blocks cell death – which caused the stem cells to differentiate into bone cells. They also silenced a factor that inhibits the development of fat cells.  These processes successfully enhanced the development of stem cells toward bone cells and fat cells.

The scaffold allows the siRNA to be retained and delivered to specific regions. When deposited, the result was the development of fat and bone cells in the respective regions.

This technology can enhance the use of stem cells for regenerative medicine, by providing a reliable tool to create tissues with multiple cell types.