Embryonic stem cells can be used to repair damaged lung tissue in those with severe respiratory disease, researchers have found. Collectively, such diseases of the airways as emphysema, bronchitis, asthma and cystic fibrosis are the second leading cause of death worldwide. Researchers knew that certain stem cells that normally reside in the lungs are highly similar to those in the bone marrow.
In each organ, the stem cells, rather than being distributed throughout the tissue, are concentrated in special compartments that contain the provisions that stem cells need. "That understanding suggested to us that we might be able to apply our knowledge of techniques for transplanting bone marrow stem cells to repairing lung tissue," said Yair Reisner from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Bone marrow transplant is based on two main principles the ability of stem cells to navigate…
