Research is going on to cure Kidney Disease by Stem Cells
The supply of kidneys for transplants falls tragically short of demand, leading many people to buy and sell kidneys on the black market. It’s still science fiction to take one cell from a patient and grow a new kidney (or heart, liver, pancreas, etc.) instead of waiting for a donated organ to become available. Our immune systems are constantly on the attack against invaders, and this attack often damages our own tissues. Other cells repair the damage. Some researchers believe that we can tip the balance of damage and repair with stem cell therapy.
Patients with kidney failure may not need an entire new kidney; some researchers believe that replacement of the kidney endothelium could be sufficient. Stem cells from the bone marrow offer potential for repairing damaged endothelium. Ideally, doctors would like to use cells from the patient so that they will not be rejected. Cells in the bone marrow are well known candidates because they continually produce new blood cells. Under favorable conditions, these bone marrow stem cells may be able to produce other types of cells by Linda Fugate, Ph.D.
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