Generation iPS
cells from patients with mental disorders
This project aims the generation of induced
pluripotent stem cells from adult human cells for biotechnological
applications.
In 2006, a revolutionary scientific work reported, for the first time,
that scientists have transformed a skin cell into a pluripotent cell. These
cells, called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were created from
fibroblasts (skin cells) infected with viruses that carried copies of four
genes involved in pluripotency and cell proliferation (Figure 1). Thus, the adult cells
(fibroblasts) were reset and started to behave like embryonic stem cells,
capable of differentiating into any cell type in the organism.
From this work, a new world of possibilities emerged. Now, it is possible
to create specific models for the study of diseases, embryonic development and
cell differentiation. Several groups have begun to make their own induced
pluripotent cells and, in 2009, our group has derived their first iPS, adding
Brazil to the group of iPS producing countries so far (Japan, China, Germany
and USA).
In this line of research we generate pluripotent stem cells induced by virus-mediated
cell reprogramming technique. We have already produced iPS cells from murine and
human normal fibroblast, and fibroblasts derived from patients with mental
disorders. Now, with the consolidated technique in our laboratory, the range of
diseases studied through the generation of iPS tends to increase. Aside from
the production of iPS cells, we also seek to study the diseases modeled from
these cells in order to elucidate possible mechanisms involved in such
pathologies.
Another benefit of iPS is that they can be generated from the patient himself
and, eventually, be used as a source for autologous cell therapy. This
eliminates the risk of rejection and therefore increases the chance of
successful transplantation. In this sense, the iPS generated in our laboratory
will be used in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's,
and also in models of spinal cord injury.