A researcher team led by a Johns Hopkins University biologist has made an important discovery that may shed some light on how stem cells work. In a research paper, published in the journal Cell Reports on Oct. 13, scientists describe how stem cells can be affected by their immediate surroundings.

The scientists found an enzyme that can help nurture the reproduction of stem cells by sustaining them in their original state. The enzyme also makes other cells lose their specialised status and transform into stem cells. The finding is important because it could help scientists reduce the number of stem cell transplant complications.

The enzyme, known as aminopeptidase, may help researchers gain additional control over stem cells. Lead researcher Xin Chen suggests that the fate of stem cells takes cues from the enzymes present, meaning stem cells do not behave as randomly as previously thought.

Controlling how stem cells proliferate and specialise is one of the major challenges facing researchers. If too many cells proliferate after a stem cell transplant, it can cause tissue degeneration and tumours — one of the most common stem cell transplant complications. If the stem cells do not proliferate enough, it can cause tissue deterioration.

Stem cells are found throughout the human body. They are immature cells that can differentiate into other kinds of cells including nerve cells, skin cells, blood cells, liver cells and heart cells. Stem cells can regenerate diseased or damaged tissue, which has made them the subject of a great deal of research.

If there were more techniques to precisely control how much stem cells are allowed to proliferate and what kinds of cells they turn into, scientists could avoid stem cell transplant complications and more precisely target treatments.

Source: Johns Hopkins biologist leads research shedding light on stem cells

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