Experts Create Artificial Mammal 'Embryo' from Stem Cells

For the first time, experts at the University of Cambridge have managed to create an artificial structure from stem cells that resembles a natural mouse embryo.

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have managed to create an artificial structure from stem cells that resembles a natural mouse embryo.

The findings could pave the way for developing artificial human life in the lab and help researchers understand why more than two out of three human pregnancies fail at the very early stages of embryo development.

Unexpected Influence on the Fate of Dividing Stem Cells
When most cells divide, they simply make more of themselves. But stem cells, can generate more stem cells or differentiate into any of the body's cell types.

‘Previous attempts to grow embryo-like structures using only ESCs have had limited success. This is because early embryo development requires the different types of cell to coordinate closely with each other.’

Currently, embryos are developed from eggs donated through IVF clinics.

"We are very optimistic that this will allow us to study key events of this critical stage of human development without actually having to work on embryos. Knowing how development normally occurs will allow us to understand why it so often goes wrong," said lead researcher Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, Professor at University of Cambridge.

For growing the mouse structure in culture, the researchers used two types of stem cells -- the body's 'master cells' -- and a 3D scaffold on which they can grow.

Stem Cells Fiercely Abide by Their Innate Developmental Timing
Whether stem cell differentiation rates can be accelerated in the lab and made available to patients faster is being studied by researchers.

Previous attempts to grow embryo-like structures using only ESCs have had limited success.

This is because early embryo development requires the different types of cell to coordinate closely with each other.

Adipose Stem Cells are Preferred Source for Canine Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy
Adipose stem cells grow at a faster rate than bone marrow stem cells. Harvesting adipose stem cells also is less invasive than harvesting bone marrow.

However, in this study published in the journal Science, the researchers described how, using a combination of genetically-modified mouse embryonic stem cells and the extra-embryonic trophoblast stem cells, together with a 3D scaffold, they were able to grow a structure capable of assembling itself and whose development and architecture very closely resembled the natural embryo.

"Both the embryonic and extra-embryonic cells start to talk to each other and become organised into a structure that looks like and behaves like an embryo," Zernicka-Goetz said.

Magnetic Stem Cells With Low Toxicity, Enough Stability for Gene Engineering Applications
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are very attractive for researchers and practical physicians to apply them in substitute therapy, gene or cell engineering.

"It has anatomically correct regions that develop in the right place and at the right time," she added.

Comparing their artificial 'embryo' to a normally-developing embryo, the team was able to show that its development followed the same pattern of development.

The stem cells organise themselves, with ESCs at one end and TSCs at the other. A cavity opens up within each cluster before joining together, eventually to become the large, so-called pro-amniotic cavity in which the embryo will develop, the researchers said.

While this artificial embryo closely resembles the real thing, it is unlikely that it would develop further into a healthy foetus, the researchers said.

To do so, it would likely need the third form of stem cell, which would allow the development of the yolk sac, which provides nourishment for the embryo and within which a network of blood vessel develops.

In addition, the system has not been optimised for the correct development of the placenta, the researchers said.

Source-IANS