Iranian Scientists Make Breakthrough in Restoration of Amputated Finger with Stem Cells
“This research project aims to investigate the effect of secretions (exosome) isolated from stem cells on repairing the cartilage of an amputated finger. In this project, researchers have conducted studies on the amputated finger of a mouse,” Leyla Taqiyar, a member of the scientific board of Royan Research Institute and an expert in cartilage and connective tissue regeneration, told ANA.
“Exosomes are cell secretions that can be changed by manipulations performed on them in research processes. Human and animal body cells have the ability to release other secretions with the genetic manipulations,” she added.
“Secretions caused by mesenchymal stem cells, with the manipulations carried out on their genome, enjoy the capability to repair the damaged tissue and organ of the body,” Taqiyar said.
“The main goal of this research was to investigate the secretions released from the mesenchymal stem cells of the mouse’s amputated finger. Of course, the initial phase of this research is testing on animals, and in the next phases, the necessary clinical tests will also be performed on the human body,” she noted.
In a relevant development in October, Iranian researchers at Royan Institute had also taken a step towards treating the incurable disease of rheumatoid arthritis by using bone marrow mesenchymal cells (allogene).
“The allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of a healthy donor volunteer. To treat the incurable disease of rheumatoid arthritis, the product enters the body systemically through intravenous injection and releases the factors needed for health in the body and produces a favorable therapeutic result,” Ensiyeh Hajizadeh Saffar, the head of the technology development center for advanced medical products at Royan Research Institute, told ANA.
She stated that the allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell product is used as an intradiscal injection, adding, “This type of injection is used to treat back pain caused by disc destruction and has achieved good results.”
Noting that the first phase of the human clinical trial of the bone marrow mesenchymal cell product was conducted in allogeneic form, and the second and third phases of the clinical trial are underway, Hajizadeh Saffar said, “The technology of mass cultivation of stem cells has been used in making this product. In other words, we reach billions of billions of cells from a number of micrometer-sized cells in the culture and reproduction medium.”
4155/v
