In a first step towards creating artificial sperm cells, researchers have turned
human bone marrow tissue into primitive sperm cells.
Using their new model, Jamieson, Crews and team found that two events converge to activate ADAR1 in multiple myeloma — a genetic abnormality and inflammatory cues from the
surrounding bone marrow tissue.
Subsequent transplant of millions of human T - ALL cells into normal mice that were then treated with an anti-CXCR4 drug induced remission within two weeks, with diseased spleen and
bone marrow tissue nearly returning to normal.
Shah and his team turned to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-- a type of stem cell that gives rise to
bone marrow tissue — which have been very attractive drug delivery vehicles because they trigger a minimal immune response and can be utilized to carry oncolytic viruses.
In the secondary stage of infection, the virus invades
the bone marrow tissue.
Collection of samples of
the bone marrow tissue are helpful in determining the cause of anemia or other blood cell disorders.