Successfully engineered Immune cell model way for new treatments amongst immunocompromised children
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Overview
The research, led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and published in Stem Cell Reports, used cutting edge stem cell technology to better understand how the infection invades immune cells and causes health complications, such as lung and skin and soft tissue infections, in immunocompromised people, particularly those with cystic fibrosis.
Researcher Dr Shicheng Jacky Sun said the immune cell type the team created in the lab, known as a macrophage, played an important role in infection, inflammation and regeneration. But due to this function was also a natural host for germs. Murdoch Children's researcher Dr Shicheng Jacky Sun said the immune cell type the team created in the lab, known as a macrophage, played an important role in infection, inflammation and regeneration. But due to this function was also a natural host for germs.
Dr Sohinee Sarkar said due to high treatment failure rates, repeated cycles of infection could greatly damage the lung tissue and accelerate progression of lung failure in those with cystic fibrosis."Improved treatments could mean less frequent hospital visits, shorter stays and minimal exposure to toxic antibiotics, which is particularly important for children with cystic fibrosis," she said.
Data shows 11 per cent of children with cystic fibrosis test positive for mycobacteria. Dr Sarkar said the infection model could also be used for drug screening for other superbugs with limited treatment options.
Ref: Shicheng Sun, Michael See, Hieu T. Nim, Kathleen Strumila, Elizabeth Ng, Alejandro Hidalgo, Mirana Ramialison, Philip Sutton, Andrew G. Elefanty, Sohinee Sarkar and Edouard G. Stanley. 'Human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages host Mycobacterium abscessus infection,' Stem Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.013
Speakers
Isra Zaman
B.Sc Life Sciences, M.Sc Biotechnology, B.Ed
Isra Zaman is a Life Science graduate from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, and a postgraduate in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a flair for writing, and her roles at Medicaldialogues include that of a Sr. content writer and a medical correspondent. Her news pieces cover recent discoveries and updates from the health and medicine sector. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.
