Researchers have successfully cultured heart cells in a modified spinach.
Popeye had it all figured out. Spinach is the future of medicine. In any case, this is the bet of the Polytechnic Institute of Worcester (United States). There is no question, here, of swallowing whole boxes to save his bride. There is still a story of muscles in the case. The vegetable plant could, in fact, prove to be very useful for developing cardiac tissues intended to be transplanted. The first tests, carried out in laboratories, are conclusive according to the study published in Biomaterials.
Detergent before cells
The regeneration of human tissue, after a myocardial infarction for example, is an approach under development in many countries. But recreating these tissues and their vascular system is problematic. Even with 3D printing, it is currently impossible to produce a sufficient network that extends to the capillaries. It is however the condition sine qua non such a technique, since these small blood vessels supply cells with oxygen, nutrients and other key molecules.
The solution comes from plants, according to the US team. Spinach in particular. The leaves also have a vascular system. The researchers therefore “decellularized” the leaves in question, using a detergent. The operation is successful when all that remains of the plant is cellulose. “It is a well-studied biomaterial in a wide range of clinical applications,” explain the authors. Cellulose is biocompatible and promotes healing. “
Source : Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Several plants in the test
Once decellularization is complete, this framework remains to be filled with human cells. In this case, they are stem cells derived from cardiomyocytes, which are cells that make up the heart muscle. The scientists then circulated various fluids and microbeads comparable in size to cells in the spinach vascular system. The same tests were done with cells that line the walls of the heart. Successfully in both cases.
The proof of concept is therefore established. “We still have a lot to do, but the work so far is promising,” says Glenn Gaudette. The goal for the moment is to develop cardiac muscle tissue that can be transplanted to patients who have had a heart attack.
But researchers have had success with other plants: parsley, annual mugwort, peanuts… These are all species that will allow different applications. “Spinach leaf is more suited to highly vascularized tissue, such as heart tissue, whereas the cylindrical structure of the root of theImpatiens capensis (Impatientes) is more suitable for an arterial transplant, ”illustrates the study. Before reaching this stage, it will still be necessary to optimize the decellularization process and produce a secondary vascular network. The story does not say if this will reconcile the angry people with the spinach …
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