William Atkins
Thursday, 20 November 2008 20:40
Science -
Biology
Page 2 of 3
The importance of this pioneering transplant occurs here because if the donor’s cells were left on the trachea, and the patient’s cells not used, then the patient would have needed anti-rejection medicine (immune-suppressing drugs) for the rest of her life to assure that the transplanted organ was not rejected by her immune system.
The researchers hope that the stem cells will grow and convert themselves so that they will perform all the functions that cells carry out for the trachea, such as clearing mucus out of the airway.
In this way, immune-suppressing drugs will someday not be necessary in organ transplants. In addition, transplanted organs will not be rejected by the human body after the transplantation procedure is completed.
The authors state in the abstract to their paper:
“The results show that we can produce a cellular, tissue-engineered airway with mechanical properties that allow normal functioning, and which is free from the risks of rejection. The findings suggest that autologous cells combined with appropriate biomaterials might provide successful treatment for patients with serious clinical disorders.”
The article reports that four months after the surgery the women is able to walk up stairs, care for herself and her children, and perform other necessary daily duties.
Dr. Macchiarini states, "We are terribly excited by these results.” [WebMD: “
1st Trachea Transplant From Stem Cells”]
He added,
“Just four days after transplantation the graft was almost indistinguishable from adjacent normal bronchi.” [The New York Times: “
Europeans Announce Pioneering Surgery”]
Page three talks about the University of Bristol news release about the transplant.
