New Stem Cell Discoveries Pave Way for Stomach Cell, Cancer Data

According to the University of Michigan Medical School, scientists have achieved success in identifying and populating the cells that closely resemble stem cells in the stomachs of mice. These cells, specific to many tissues and organs of the body, are the "key master cells." Until now, it was not possible to figure out the stem-cell functioning in the stomach of any animal or person.

Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School can now demonstrate that these cells have a close relationship with various lineages of specialized cells that are vital to form the functional stomach glands. These glands line the lower stomach area. Researchers call these cells "Gastric Progenitor Cells." The 'multi-lineage potential' properties of these cells are characteristic of stem cells.

The research study is available online and will find place in the coming edition of the journal Gastroenterology. "The identification of these progenitor cells will not only aid in our understanding of normal cell turnover in the stomach, but could potentially open some new and exciting doors in our investigation of the origins of gastric cancer," says Dr. Deborah Gumucio, a Developmental Biologist and senior author of the study.

Millions of stomach glands are made up of these epithelial cells. Generally, these cells have a life period of only 20-60 days. Progeny of dividing resident stem cells then replaces these cells. Thus, the constant formation of stem cells facilitates the stomach as a reservoir and it helps in repairing the damages caused by injury or inflammation to the stomach.

The research also believes that these stem cells have enough life periods for accumulating multiple mutations causing cancer. It is because of the reason that the stem cells live longest of all the gastric cells. Only due to this important factor, the search for such cells was a goal worth achieving, for decades. "Before this work, we knew that stem cells existed in the stomach, but we had no way to precisely identify them," says Dr. Deborah Gumucio, Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Stomach cancer has its own effects in other parts of the world including East Asia, and Latin America. According to a prediction, out of the probable 21,260 diagnosed stomach cancer patients 11,210 will die of the stomach cancer in the year 2007 in the United States alone. One of the prevalent types of stomach cancer is 'intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma'. It spreads in progressive steps. 'Helicobacter Pyroli', an inflammatory infection brings changes in the nature of stomach cells and ultimately results in a tumor after many years. Researchers could identify the concentration of 'progenitor cells' in the tumor-affected stomach portion.

Dr. Deborah Gumucio's team at the 'University of Michigan Medical School' successfully finds the effective markers and tags of the stomach stem cells. This will facilitate tracking the cells in future. The team is now working to identify new markers for other stem cells in stomach.

SOURCE; University of Michigan Medical School "Stomach Stem Cell Discovery Could Bring Cancer Insights ".

URL; http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/533994/