Bedford Research Foundation Winter 2007 Newsletter
Read about all of the progress and the research that has occurred at the Foundation over the course of the past year, and a retrospective on the past 11! Dr. Kiessling outlines her vision for the upcoming year as well. Thank you for your support.
The Potential for Miracles
Mouse Parthenotes Derived without a feeder layer
Mouse parthenote stem cells derived at BSCRF without a feeder layer ISSCR, Australia, 2007
Recent advances in stem cell research have raised the hope of curing diseases once believed to be incurable: heart failure, spinal cord injury, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, AIDS. These diseases are the result of the death of specific types of cells, such as nerves and the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. For reasons that are not understood, new cells do not automatically replace defective cells in some tissues such as spinal cord, brain and pancreas.
Other tissues, such as skin and blood, routinely replace dying cells with new cells recruited from reserve supplies that maintain the potential to become active and multiply when needed. Such cells are called “stem cells.” Skin stem cells are examples of adult stem cells, so-called because they can become only one type of tissue, e.g. skin. In contrast, cells from early embryos are pluripotent, that is, they have the potential to become all types of tissues.
Experiments with laboratory mice have demonstrated that pluripotent stem cells can replace dead cells in all organs including the heart, which does not have its own supply of stem cells. These encouraging results have spawned studies to apply stem cell therapy to humans.
Colony of stem cells derived from an adult mouse testis. Photo taken in the BSCRF lab on Nov. 7, 2007
A New Source of Pluripotent Stem Cells?
Stem Cells From Adult Testis
Similar to embryonic stem cells, recent reports indicate that stem cells found in the adult mouse testis are pluripotent, meaning they have the potential to become any cell in the body.
Last year, a team of German scientists reported the isolation of pluripotent stem cells from adult mouse testis (Nature: 440, April 2006). This report was followed by newspaper accounts of similar stem cells being isolated from adult human testis.
Bedford research scientists have years of experience in testis research and immediately followed up this report with new experiments. Initial promising studies at the Foundation used goat testis. Recently, Dr. Jeff Shaman replicated the experiments in mice by isolating stem cells from adult mouse testis (photo above). This important first step demonstrates that the testis may be a good source of pluripotent stem cells, thus providing another alternative to the use of ethically controversial embryonic stem cells. These adult stem cells, together with the Foundation’s mouse parthenote stem cells, will allow for the investigation of differences between the testis and parthenote stem cells with the same genetic backgrounds. This will pave the way for the isolation of pluripotent stem cells from adult human testis.
New Talent at BSCRF
Dr. Jeffrey Shaman has joined the BSCRF scientific team to spearhead a new project deriving pluripotent stem cells from testis. This new, promising area of investigation complements the Foundation’s ongoing work with parthenote stem cells from unfertilized eggs. Men produce millions of sperm every day for their entire lives, but until recently it was thought that those sperm arise from tissue-specific stem cells in the testis that could only give rise to sperm, not to pluripotent stem cells. More recent evidence, however, suggests that in addition to the stem cells that give rise only to sperm, there is another small population of stem cells that are pluripotent and can give rise to all body tissues. Like all stem cells in adult tissues, the pluripotent stem cells in the testis are programmed not to divide unless needed. The challenge to scientists is to understand how to not only isolate the pluripotent adult testis stem cells in the laboratory, but also how to coax them into a state of continually dividing, like stem cells derived from eggs.
Dr. Shaman is uniquely well suited to conduct these studies because of his excellent background studying the genetic and epigenetic information contained within sperm heads, as well as how the expression of sperm genes is controlled. He received a Master’s degree from Rutgers and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and his PhD from The 
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 2004. He then studied with Dr. Steven Ward at the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Biogenesis Research, until joining the BSCRF team in 2007.
The foundation is also proud to welcome Jamie Thorn as part of our laboratory team. Mr. Thorn holds a BS in Biology from Suffolk University, with minors in Chemistry and Philosophy. He takes over for Bryan Desmarais as the cornerstone of the Foundation’s award winning SPAR program. Mr. Thorn will participate in all clinical laboratory activities and head up the molecular biology assays utilized for HIV detection, Hepatitis B, C and bacteria.
The Activated Egg Symposium
On November 9, 2007, the annual symposium celebrated its sixth year, with keynote speaker Dr. Ian Wilmut.
Dr. Ian Wilmut’s career began at the Animal Research Station in Cambridge, where he took his doctoral degree in animal reproduction, particularly cryopreservation of sperm and embryos. “Frostie” was the world’s first calf born after freezing and thawing an embryo. As a young faculty member of the Roslin Institute, Dr. Wilmut focused on “…the basic repertoire of reproduction – eggs, sperm, and embryos – with the aim of understanding the causes of early embryo death.”
Dr. Wilmut’s latest book, “After Dolly: The Uses and Misuses of Human Cloning”
He became a genetic engineer in the early 80’s with the goal of introducing new genes into domestic animals. Breeding domestic animals selects for thousands of genes at once, hence the difference between Dalmatians and Dachshunds. But the ability to introduce one gene at a time created an unparalleled research paradigm, far more powerful than a breeding program, because individual gene functions could be studied. Moreover, the products of individual genes could be bioactive proteins important to human health, such as blood clotting factors to treat hemophilia, and enzymes to eliminate blood clots during heart attack or stroke. The result of this work was “Tracy,” a Scottish sheep who had been genetically engineered to express gram quantities of alpha-1 antitrypsin in her milk.
This proved the value of genetically manipulated livestock as sources of pharmaceuticals – “pharming.” However, complex genetic manipulations of embryos was far more difficult than genetic engineering of cultured cells. To produce offspring from genetically modified cells, Ian had to first clone a non-modified cell. Along came Dolly.
Dr. Wilmut presented “Cloning in the 10 Years Since Dolly” at the 2007 Symposium. Other experts at the Symposium were Dr. Jose Cibelli, cow cloning pioneer; Dr. Steve Stice, an expert in embryonic stem cell differentiation; Dr. Barbara Knowles, an expert in mouse embryonic gene expression; Dieter Egli, Harvard University Research Fellow; Steven Sheridan, embryonic stem cell scientist with Millipore Corporation; Jeffrey Janus, President, and Nikolai Turovets, Senior Research Scientist of International Stem Cell Corporation, experts on human parthenote stem cells; and Dr. Robert Truog, chairman of Harvard University’s Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee. In 2002, the Foundation launched The Activated Egg symposium series. During this one-day event researchers studying eggs for reproduction, stem cell derivation, or animal cloning share and discuss their research. With attendance limited to 100 the event provides a unique environment for investigators from academia, industry and infertility clinics to meet and form collaborations.
A New Board Member
Sean Kealy, Esq. joined the Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation Board of Trustees in September. Attorney Kealy was instrumental in drafting and promoting the Massachusetts stem cell bill in 2005 as a member of the State House staff of Senator Cynthia Creem who sponsored the bill. He co-edits an electronic newsletter, Criminal Law Update, and is on the faculty at Boston University School of Law.
Second Edition of HESC
Human Embryonic Stem Cells: An Introduction to the Science and Therapeutic Potential, 2nd Ed
Dr. Ann Kiessling and Scott Anderson’s text remains the only introductory stem cell textbook, providing a single reference for basic information addressing the science of stem cells and the relevant social, legal and ethical debates.
Stem Cells 101
What Is A Stem Cell?
A reserve cell with the capacity to multiply when needed to replace dead or damaged adult cells. Reserve stem cells do not exist for many vital tissues, including: heart, spinal cord, brain and pancreas.
Key Term “Pluripotent”
The capacity to become any cell in the body.
- Pluripotent stem cells show the most promise for use in stem cell therapies.
- Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, adult stem cells are not.
Types of Pluripotent Stem Cells
It is still unknown which are best for therapies.
- Embryonic stem cells from fertilized eggs are good models for research, but they have ethical issues, and will have tissue rejection problems (similar to bone marrow and kidney transplants).
- Parthenote stem cells (derived from unfertilized eggs) may be as pluripotent as embryonic stem cells, and have been the focus of BSCRF scientists for several years. Studies using monkey parthenote stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease have been very promising.
- Parthenotes do not have the potential tissue rejection problems faced by stem cells derived from fertilized eggs.
- Unlike adult stem cells, parthenotes can potentially become any cell in the body.
- Less controversial than stem cells that are derived from fertilized eggs.
Changing the Pace of Progress…
BSCRF is the only independent, not for profit and non-federally funded Massachusetts resource for the advancement of stem cell and related studies.
What Is An Embryonic Stem Cell?
A stem cell derived from eggs fertilized by sperm; these stem cells are “pluripotent.” Recent research has shown that it may also be possible to get pluripotent stem cells from unfertilized eggs.
What Are Cord Blood Stem Cells?
Cells in the umbilical cord are “multipotent” and can give rise to all the cells in a normal bone marrow. Scientists are working to discover if these cells can become other types of adult stem cells.
What Is An Adult Stem Cell?
Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are stored in the body to replace dead or damaged cells in a specific tissue. For example: Skin has a large reserve supply of skin stem cells. They multiply only when needed.
Stem Cells From Unfertilized Eggs?
When eggs are fertilized by sperm they become “activated,” their cells divide and can be a source of embryonic stem cells. However, BSCRF scientists have shown that human eggs can be “activated” without being fertilized. Unfertilized, “activated” eggs are called Parthenotes.
Egg Activation happens spontaneously in nature, but the process is not well understood. Research has found that unfertilized eggs can be activated either by (1) an electrical jolt or by (2) chemical stimulation. If successfully activated, the egg undergoes early cell divisions similar to fertilized eggs, but cannot give rise to an offspring.
After approximately 6 days the parthenote reaches the 150 cell Blastocyst stage and the stem cells can be moved to a separate dish to grow in a colony.
Results at BSCRF are promising. We have developed laboratory conditions that lead to mouse parthenote stem cells (mPS) with the same efficiency as from fertilized mouse eggs. Our most recent mPS cells were developed entirely in laboratory conditions free of other animal cells (cover photo), thus paving the way for similar development of human PS cells free of animal cells.
What Comes Next?
Parthenotes to Neurospheres
How do we turn on the genes that lead to nerve cells?
Neurospheres are an early stage of development of neurons from stem cells. At this early stage, they can be coaxed to differentiate into a variety of types of nerve cells (i.e. brain, optic, spinal, etc.).
To form neurospheres from mPS cells (mouse parthenotes), it is necessary to coax the mPS cells into silencing the genes that make them behave like stem cells, and turning-on the genes that lead to nerve cells. This is a multi-step process that can take months to accomplish.
To improve the speed and efficiency of this process, Bedford Foundation scientists are taking advantage of very recent advances in analyzing the expression of specific genes in cells. The method is termed “Micro-array Analysis,” and allows the measurement of changes in the expression of 40,000 genes.
Promising Results
Bedford scientists have discovered that by using a drug already approved for human use, we can coax the mPS cells into expressing neuronal genes within two weeks. This exciting result needs to be repeated multiple times, but initial findings are highly promising.
Visiting the State House
The Ethics of Human Eggs
Since Dr. Kiessling’s letter, “Eggs Alone” to to Nature in 2003, and her 2006 report in Science magazine “Ethical Oocytes: Available for a Price,” it has become apparent that the dialogue between scientists, legislators and the public about the controversy surrounding Stem Cells and Human Eggs is becoming increasingly important.
June, 2007, the Foundation lead a legislative briefing at the Massachusetts State House entitled, “Stem Cells: Myths, Facts and Becoming a National Leader.” During the standing room only presentation, Dr. Kiessling outlined a brief history of stem cell science, the controversy of human egg research, and an overview of state legislation that will enable this important research to move forward.
Controversial Work
The Ethics Advisory Board
Bedford Stem Cell Research Foundation is at the forefront of stem cell and related research. Founded in 1996, the Foundation has an established community of scientists investigating the potential for stem cell therapy.
BSCRF scientists rely on the Ethics Advisory Board to assist in understanding the complex ethical questions raised by some aspects of stem cell research. This board, like the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, has no financial stake in the research; the progress of the science and the health of those afflicted are their primary concern.
Discovering a New Angle
Unlike most of the “embryonic” stem cell research conducted in the United States with “left-over” embryos in fertility clinics, BSCRF’s research efforts focus on using unfertilized human eggs to derive pluripotent, parthenote stem cells.
In parallel with the parthenote work, BSCRF scientists have launched an effort to derive stem cells from adult testis, following up a report in 2006 that the testis contains not only stem cells that give rise to sperm, but also a small population of pluripotent stem cells.
Who is Bedford Research Foundation?
Philanthropy Is The Key To Continued Progress
The average cost of each experiment is $90,000. Because much of our overhead is covered by fee-for-service laboratory tests, 92% of every dollar donated goes directly toward these experiments. This innovative funding model allows Bedford Research scientists greater flexibility to move quickly in promising new research directions.
Continued progress requires meeting our annual funding goal of $450,000 in 2019.
