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Model Developed Using Adult Stem Cells for Rare Disorder

by Julia Samuel on Apr 21 2016 4:29 PM

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a rare developmental disorder caused by mutations in the enzyme DHCR7 responsible for the production of cholesterol.

Model Developed Using Adult Stem Cells for Rare Disorder
An innovative stem-cell model for a fatal developmental disorder has been discovered by a Sanford Research scientist.
Kevin Francis, Ph.D. uncovered unique cellular defects associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) by modeling this disease using induced pluripotent stem cells.

SLOS is a rare developmental disorder caused by mutations in the enzyme DHCR7 responsible for the final step in the production of cholesterol. DHCR7 mutations prevent 7-dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) conversion to cholesterol.

Impaired cholesterol synthesis underlies a group of human disorders, including SLOS, that are characterized by cognitive impairment, congenital malformations and distinct behavioral phenotypes, including autism. Specific to SLOS, patients experience delayed development and malformations in certain organs like the brain, heart and liver.

Francis and his team used induced pluripotent stem cells, which have the ability to form many types cells, derived from patient skin cells to reveal novel changes in cellular events regulated by cholesterol synthesis, including a set of proteins critical for brain development and function known as the Wnt signaling pathway. Further, Francis noted that 7DHC accumulation, not cholesterol deficiency, was a hallmark of these cells.



Source-Newswise


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