Indian scientists claim advance in stem cell research

Find an easier, ethically less controversial way to extract adult cells

KOLHAPUR: Two Indian researchers have taken regenerative medicine research several steps forward by independently establishing the presence of adult stem cells in the entire female genital tract and isolating them using non-invasive methods to develop cells of other organs.

The two researchers — Kolhapur-based gynaecologist Satish Patki and National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS-Pune) senior scientist Ramesh Bhonde — are now planning to file a patent.

They said Medical Hypotheses, a reputed journal published in the US by Elsevier, has accepted their findings for publication. Amsterdam-based Elsevier is the world’s largest publisher of medical and scientific data.

“Australian researcher Caroline Gargett had recently reported the presence of stem cells in the endometrium (uterus), whereas in our study, we have shown the presence of stem cells in the entire genital tract, which includes the fallopian tubes and the ovaries,” Bhonde said.

Patki and Bhonde, who heads the stem cell division at NCCS, told newspersons in Kolhapur on Tuesday that they have also demonstrated that stem cells could be obtained from the female genital tract by using non-surgical methods.

The Kolhapur announcement comes within days of reports from the United States where researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’s McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine reported that menstrual blood was a major source of stem cells.
The Indian researchers said that “embryonic cells”, also a source of stem cells, were difficult to obtain and involved ethical issues.

They said the uterus’ peculiar properties like undergoing cycles of shedding and rapid repair of its entire lining (endometrium) and extreme capacity to expand, triggered the research.  

“The uterus shows ‘immunological versatility’ by accepting a foetus — which itself is a foreign body, and grows it for nine months just like organ transplant. However, rejection is common for organ transplantation in other parts,” Dr Patki said.

Under lab conditions, the stem cells obtained from the uterus were developed into cells of kidney, liver, fat, brain and beta cells of the pancreas — which produces insulin — and the beating cells of the heart.

According to the researchers, the application of this research includes curing degenerative diseases and studying the effects of drugs.

According to them, the treatment with stem cells can increase the embryo carrying capacity of the uterus, which is helpful in infertility diseases like repeated abortions, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and for in-vitro fertilisation.