Brain Stem Cells killed by Space Radiation

A lot of the concepts surrounding that of anti-aging first involves protecting and conserving what the body has left to the best of your ability and secondly attempting to regenerate and increase the number of functionally productive living cells in the desired tissues and organs.

In a previous blog entry, I described a face cream by Dior (Capture) which promises to protect and nourish the remaining stem cells one has left in wrinkled skin. If you are a frequent long-haul air traveller (Richard Quest please take note), you might wish to give a small thought to this rather esoteric but possibly significant research study -which was conducted by the researchers at Cold Spring Harbor, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Kennedy Space Center and the University of Florida- published the the Journal of Experimental Neurology.

For those of us who spend enough time in the airplane and feel that we could have reached Mars and back, we might wish to consider plausible types of protection for the stem cells in our brain responsible for learning and memory.

In the preparative research for the proposed next NASA project to put a man on Mars, scientists conducted an experiment with mice where a single dose of radiation was administered considered to be equivalent to the amount an astronaut might be exposed to during a 3 year space voyage to Mars and back. What they found was that the radiation particularly affected the stem cells in the region of the hippocampus.


"We are going to have to rethink our understanding of stem cell susceptibility to radiation, including cosmic radiation encountered during space travel, as well as radiation doses that accompany different medical procedures," said Professor Dennis Steindler of the University of Florida, co-investigator of the study.


WHAT IS COSMIC RADIATION AND IS IT SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT?

Well, this really depends on how much long haul, high altitude flying you get to do as part of your job. Air crew and presumably flight military will be subjected to the highest amounts of exposure. Background cosmic radiation at ground level have been established at 2-3 mSv (microSievert) which is considered natural exposure. In the plane, higher altitudes reduces the protective layers in the atmosphere which shield most of the cosmic radiation and thus cosmic radiation exposure is increased. If you'd like to have an indication of cosmic radiation levels during flight, have a look at this table on the WHO site. (Note: if you're flying the A380 long distance at 43,000 feet, you'll need to double the figures up by 2)

As a result of this, aircrew are now monitored and their time tables adjusted accordingly to ensure that they do not exceed the recommended dose. The WHO and the UK Department for Transport also does not recommend pregnant air stewardesses to work on flights due to the exposure to the unborn child.

Or we can live near the equator where cosmic radiation is reduced by half.



HOW CAN WE PROTECT OUR STEM CELLS FROM COSMIC RADIATION?

Come to think of it, maybe those Imperial Stormtroopers might have been wearing reasonable looking outfits for the fight and flights through space to protect their cells. Ridiculous as it may have been (note that Luke and Leia never wore any type of helmet or protective outfit) astronauts going out on a space walk have to put up with much more cumbersome outfits due to the numerous protective layers.

A CHALLENGE FOR SPACE BIOENGINEERS AND PHYSICISTS

NASA engineering scientists are working on new materials and polymers which confer more protection and estimate that a new spacesuit which will be worn by the super-fit astronauts on Mars will be as light as 21 Kg and comprise of 12 different layers.

Better shielding on spacecrafts are also on the way (using water as an absorbent material) and hopefully, some of this technology will also filter down for use in commercial flights so that we can reduce our cancer risk (bad enough already) and retain as many hippocampal stem cells as possible.

As for the rest of us who are already losing our memory and learning capabilities due to cosmic radiation, we'll have to see about how to potentially replace and regenerate new stem cells along the way without resorting to NASA designed storm trooper outfits when we board the A380 from Singapore to London or New York.

"I want to look like Sharon Stone..."

... I suppose this must be what all the American 35+ year olds must be thinking as they rush out to buy Christian Dior's latest product on Macy's shelves on the weekend (Sharon Stone is the advertising model for "Capture" chosen by LVMH).


COSMETICS MOVE ASIDE

The product -which sounds like a piece of sexy photographic equipment or imaging software- is called Capture 60/80 XP and claims to have "lassoed the power of adult stem cells to help repair wrinkles". (For the interested Asian clients, Christian Dior plans to launch it internationally at the start of 2008)

The product was researched and developed by researchers at the Dior innovation center and the researchers at LVMH in collaboration with Professor of dermatology Carlo Pincelli, who heads the research unit at the laboratory of cutaneous biology in the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. It contains a collection of treatment creams and serums for the face and eyes which target women in the 35+ age group who are trying to escape the clutches of skin aging by protecting their adult stem cells in the skin, making them more active and thus reduce the formation or deepening of wrinkles.

The article states that the company's patented "Stemsome" technology and TP-Vityl ingredient is included in the Capture cream's formula and works on a time release system to protect basal cells and the skin's bionectin scaffold which keeps the collagen in place.


HOW MUCH FOR OVER THE COUNTER REGENERATIVE COSMETICS?

The Capture R 60/80 XP collection includes 30- and 50-ml. bottles of serum, which retail for 80.90 euros and 106 euros, or $119.40 and $156.45 at current exchange, respectively. There are also 30- and 50-ml. jars of cream in a light texture and similarly sized jars of cream in a rich texture for 57.80 euros and 86.30 euros, or $85.30 and $127.40, respectively. The 15-ml. eye cream sells for 53 euros, or $78.23. Prices are for France.

In comparison, StemLife stores cord blood stem cells for the equivalent of 5 jars of cream.

While Dior executives would not discuss numbers, industry sources estimated that Capture R 60/80 XP will generate $37 million in wholesale business during its first 12 months worldwide.

SUPPORT FOR STEM CELL INDUSTRY

Interestingly, the article states that some of the proceeds from the sale of Capture will go to Standford University's adult stem cell research funds, which might be a contribution to the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine


It's been known for years that by merely applying cosmetics, women can make themselves more attractive and appear youthful, but can we really nourish our stem cells and prevent them from dying using a cream kept in our cosmetic case? I'll have to ask someone who's going to use the creams. Well, I guess if there's any bit of skin on our body that is most exposed to UV rays and all other environmental insults, it would be our faces. Maybe I'll buy it for a friend as a present and see if those wrinkles do indeed disappear...

StemLife's New Website and Good News For Women who have stored their Stem Cells

First and foremostly, I'd like to share with everyone that StemLife has recently launched a new website. Our web team has opted to refresh and update both pictures and information to enable company news and services to be accessed more easily. I'm sure that they'll be changing the photos and features from time to time, so please share it with all your friends and family.

StemLife- Malaysia's First Stem Cell Bank and Therapeutics Company for Babies and Adults


Access the site at www.StemLife.com




What about the WOMEN and their Stem Cells?

Well, I thought you might be interested in this article that I read in the Herald today. Apparently, scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have been studying the regenerative potential of stem cells obtained from females versus that from males. While they were investigating muscular dystrophy models in mice, the scientists noticed that the implantation of female stem cells led to significantly better recovery in the muscles than the male stem cells.

The scientist who made the finding, Dr. Bridget Deasy, postulates that the difference may be due to the different ways male and female cells respond to oxidative stress during the process of transplantation. Female cells may just survive the process better. This has a particular relevance to Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy because this genetic condition mainly affects boys and 1 in 3500 are born with the lifelong degenerative disease.

Further, this study might also provide some insights into the differences between men and women with regards to how either sex responds to ageing or disease. If female stem cells are more tolerant in transplant conditions, any stem cell company trying to grow them for mass use had better obtain female donors. And if a patient has a choice to obtain stem cells from a brother or a sister... well, it might be another good reason for Asian families to have girls too. Stronger stem cells :)

I'm wondering if anyone has done a study on all human transplants to date and found any correlation that might corroborate this finding in mice.

Young Blood. Muscle Repair. Count Dracula links Immortality, Youth & Rapid Healing

I came across this very interesting article describing what some Stanford researchers have been working on earlier this year. In an interesting experiment designed to examine aging and stem cell research, the researchers drew blood from young mice and injected them into genetically identical older mice (imagine storing your young blood and injecting it when you're older).

The result was exciting in that the young blood activated stem cells in the old mice's muscles, allowing them to recover from injury much fast than they used to.

"It's not so much about making people live longer," said Dr. Thomas Rando, associate professor of neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine. "But if some older person gets a broken bone or skin wound, maybe we could improve their recovery rate. Maybe there's a chance to enhance the potential of old tissues."

However, the blood supply was over a lengthy period of six weeks and wasn't as straightforward as a simple blood transfusion. But what the researchers also discovered was that there are "youth-inducing" molecules in the young blood that are responsible for switching on stem cell capabilities in old muscles, which will be the next project. Essentially, injecting stem cells alone may not be the only way to get muscles to repair, and it may be a combination of the right growth factors that also help to get the stem cells to work faster or better.

An excerpt from the article:
Rando and his colleagues studied muscle stem cells called satellite cells, which in young mice and humans induce repair when injury strikes. Rando found in previous work that satellite cells exist in older muscle, but they don't respond to a muscle's cry for help after injury. In the new study, the presence of younger blood helped the satellite cells work more like they do in young mice.


According to Dr. Rando, "Many stem-cell applications in people include diseases of old people," he said. "So if the environment of the heart, brain, liver (and) pancreas is less conducive (to healing) than that of a young person, it would be important to know that in advance."

It was thought that Bram Stoker was writing about patients with the genetic condition porphyria, where they are symptomatically anaemic and have hypersensitive skin, making them averse to sunlight (Vampires burning in sunlight- check out the movie Blade for some very cool effects). In the previous centuries, those with these condition thought that drinking blood of others would ensure their survival, and systematically robbed fresh graves seeking their cure. Now, those diagnosed with this condition congenitally may undergo a stem cell transplant for a cure.

But for immortality, Count Dracula recognized that only the young that provided this elixir (hence pursuing Mina). So was Count Dracula after the young blood or the growth factors in young maidens? I suspect that it was probably both.

Count Dracula Blood Quote on Blood and Immortality:
"Blood... Blood... Life... Years of life."

Count Dracula Blood Quote on Blood as a Food:
"We must survive, all of us. The blood of a human for me, a cooked bird for you. Where is the difference?"



If you'd like to contact Dr. Rando, you can find him here.

If you'd like to contact StemLife about storing your youthful blood, you can contact us at (6012) 2050 165. :)

"A 40-Year-Old-Man WITH 20-Year-Old-Legs"..... Rebuilding Muscle Strength with Stem Cells

Following the previous article published by the Times mentioning famous footballers banking their babies' umbilical cord blood stem cells, this article expresses why athletes apart from footballers may be interested in this area.

Stem cells can treat diseases and save lives, but now their full range of potential is being explored in tissue regeneration - not just in repairing organs that fail- but to heal soft tissue injuries (think aching muscles) and according to the article "boost strength, endurance, and provide a lasting edge over the competition".

Paul Griffiths, managing director of an umbilical cord blood stem cell bank called Cryogenesis International in the UK believes that injecting stem cells into healthy muscles might "increase their size and even restore them to their youthful capacity".

"You could potentially find a 40-year-old man with 20-year-old legs," Paul Griffiths said.


SPORTS ETHICS

It is already well-known that some athletes are at a greater advantage than others, by taking advantage of environmental enhancements. Those who have adequate sponsorship can pursue high-altitude training or have personal trainers and physiotherapists. Could stem cells be the next unfair advantage?

The issue might be how to detect if an athlete has had stem cell injections for performance enhancement (sports doping) and whether it has any real effect on the long term sustainability of the athelete. Even if the athlete's own stem cells were injected back into the muscles, those muscles may only regenerate to a limited amount with a short space of time. So sports doping with stem cells is probably going to be difficult as it does take months to build up the muscles and the injected cells may have already blended into their new environment making it almost impossible to detect.

HEALING OF SOFT TISSUE

It has already been shown in animal trials that stem cells have been able to regenerate soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons and muscles. Whilst soft tissue has a very healthy rate of repair, som injuries are too great and lead to scarring and ultimately weak fibers that are unable to withstand much further tension.


RESEARCH FROM ITALY & CANADA

Separately, in an article published in The Genome News Network 2003 both Canadian and Italian scientists found that stem cells were able to regenerate damaged muscle to give rise to new muscle fibers. But the interesting work, in my opinion is what they discovered with muscular dystrophy.


EXTRACTED FROM THE ARTICLE: The research could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, and for restoring muscle strength in elderly people. Athletes may also be interested in the new findings, which lend credence to the “no pain, no gain” approach to strength training and may lead to new strategies for bulking up.

In one study, Giulio Cossu, of the Stem Cell Research Institute in Milan, Italy, and his colleagues restored muscle function to mice with muscular dystrophy. The researchers injected stem cells from the blood vessels of healthy mice into leg arteries of mice with muscular dystrophy. The stem cells, which they call “mesoangioblasts,” accumulated in the diseased muscle within hours and eventually gave rise to healthy muscle tissue.


The Canadian study demonstrated that the muscle's amazing ability to regenerate stems from a particular protein known as Wnt (if you are a molecular biologist, check this out), which is released from damaged muscles and stimulates the stem cells to form new muscles. However, as people age, these signals diminish and the cells lose their ability to regenerate. The understanding of this process could lead to new strategies for increasing muscle strength in both aging and diseases tissues.

One of the Canadian researchers has since started a company by the name of Stempath to discover drugs which can be used to stimulate muscle stem cell production. Those types of drugs used in athletes, could be certainly considered as "sports doping".



Coming full circle again, the younger the stem cells are, the better the chance of regeneration and repair. Whether you fancy yourself as a weekend athlete or a true sports professional, perhaps stem cells may be able to help with your condition. If its your own cells and not drug based, no harm in trying. :)

StemLife has banked stem cells for several keen tennis players and runners. We look forward to more healthy Malaysian athletic stem cell bankers in the near future!

UPREGULATION OF STEM CELLS BY LIFTING p16-Ink4: THE KEY TO ANTI-AGEING?

Here's why its good to bank your stem cells early.....

The latest article to cause a buzz amongst the scientific community because of its clinical implications was announced recently in Nature by Dr. Norman E. Sharpless of the University of North Carolina, Dr. Sean J. Morrison of University of Michigan and Dr. David T. Scadden of Harvard Medical School.

The main finding was by Dr. Sharpless's team who had genetically engineered a mouse strain with a knock out (ie the gene no longer functions) of the gene that codes for a protein known as p16-Ink4. The reason why this particular protein is of interest and importance lies in its function. p16-Ink4 has been established to be part of a family of proteins that protect cells and suppress tumours (think of the function of the "Oracle" in the film 'the Matrix').

ROLE OF p16-INK4

In the body, cell growth, division and death is a very tightly controlled and highly regulated process which as yet has to be fully understood. Controlled by many growth promoters and inhibitors, some genes (proto-oncogenes) encode proteins that promote cell proliferation and some genes encode proteins that inhibit this cycle -and instead promote cell death- called tumour suppressor genes. p16-Ink4 belongs to the tumour suppressor group of proteins which protect the cell from unplanned cell divisions and act as our body's own anti-cancer program by inhibiting the division and production of new cells.


THE EXCITING DISCOVERY

As a result of the work from 3 separate research groups, all groups confirmed that the amount of p16-Ink4 is greatly increased with age. The protein is up-regulated to prevent cancer formation in older individuals but is equally effective in blocking stem cell division- hence reducing the rate of regenerative capability in the body. This implies that if the production in p16-Ink4 in stem cells, perhaps other cells can still remain on course but our regenerative capacity can continue. Furthermore, if this pathway can be manipulated then perhaps cells and tissues may be able to regenerate more quickly and perhaps without the restriction of "age".

However, the scientist do not yet know what stimuli makes cells increase their production of p16-Ink4 nor exactly how much and when. They also do not yet know if increasing the protein will result in early cell death.


YOUNGER ALWAYS BETTER THAN OLDER

This finding may explain why older patients do not do as well in bone marrow transplants as younger ones, supposed Dr. Morrison and adds that the robustness of younger people's cells was already well known.


"The cells of a 70-year-old produce 10 times as much of the Ink4 protein as those of a 20-year-old, Dr. Sharpless said".


A good reason to bank your stem cells early!



I wonder if they could take a look at cord blood stem cells and see what levels of p16-Ink4 proteins are at vis-a-vis a 16 or 40 year old's peripheral blood stem cells. I think the team at StemLife would be happy to provide our blood stem cells for this purpose! :)

THE USE (AND ABUSE) OF STEM CELLS IN THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY

Almost every time that I present publicly about what stem cells are and the services that StemLife provides, it is inevitable that someone in the audience will ask: "Can stem cells be used for anti-aging?". My honest reply is that StemLife is not currently working in this area which is dominated by botox, plastic surgery and implants. The next question often is more like a statement... "But other countries are offering stem cell therapy for anti-aging, aren't they?"

I'm no expert in this area of medical/surgical-enhancement but have heard rumours about many well-to-do individuals spending upwards of USD 70,000 on animal-derived stem cell therapy at special clinics in Switzerland which lasts for a year before they have to return for a 'top up'. Generally speaking, I don't have anything against people wanting to look young (aesthetics and proper grooming does play an important factor in finding mates, jobs etc.) and if stem cells can play a significant role in this area then it should be explored.

On the other end of the spectrum, I came across this article which reported that impoverished women were being paid USD 200 to abort the 8-12 week fetus and "donate" the fetus for stem cell extraction, which are then sold to exclusive cosmetic clinics. I find this practice disturbing - not only because abortion is morally complex and may be considered inhumane (let's not forget the health of the mother)- but also the concern of what diseases may be transmitted in the process.


My questions would be:

1) The source of the stem cells- is the source free of all infectious diseases and other transmissible conditions?
2) How are the cells collected and how are they processed?
3) Are there any additives and reagents used in the harvest or processing?
4) Does the final product contain cells or cellular extracts?
5) By which route is the product administered?
6) Possible allergic reactions or tumour formation?


THE POTENTIAL DOLLAR VALUE OF AN EMBRYO

The price set for obtaining fetal cells makes me wonder about whether embryonic stem cells obtained from discarded embryos have any assigned value. Some thoughts for those considering an IVF procedure- it might be good to check first on the facility's policies on what happens to the discarded embryos- if they are discarded or put through to commercial use or research.

HOW TO PREVENT THOSE EMBRYOS GETTING INTO THE WRONG HANDS

One thing that those going to IVF clinics could query is what happens to their discarded embryos? It may be clear to some people that these embryos have some value but then some lines may need to be drawn in a way that steers clear of any issues or processes that would be considered unethical or revealing in terms of genetic data.



StemLife's note:

With regards to the first 2 questions posed to me, I'll usually tell my audience that if you are taken ill and it is a condition treatable with stem cell therapy, healthy inside = healthy outside. Our cardiac stem cell therapy patients have been able to lead more energetic lives than before and as a consequence, reduced their dependency on vaso-dilators; our diabetic foot ulcer patients have also experienced a sharp decrease in ischaemic pain post stem cell infusion, thereby reducing their dependency on pain killers which can dull the mind and normal bodily activity.

However, we do not rule out the possibility that one day, cord blood stem cells or peripheral blood stem cells may be used by the individual who banked them, for purposes of tissue reconstruction or stimulation for repair. Never know, with all this interest and research investment globally, it might come sooner than we think!

Help me, Obi wan Kenobi; you are my only hope

What does Star Wars have to do with Stem Cells? Well, not much except that when I read this article, the title reminded me of a plea from Princess Leia and that a stem cell transplant is very much like an internal war in all parts of the body.

I've already reviewed stem cell transplants extensively in this blog, but I thought this article was interesting as it highlights some of the important points in stem cell therapy:


The Function of the Bone Marrow: Home of Stem Cells in the Body

"Bone marrow's the factory that makes blood. It's also where all kinds of mistakes can be fixed. It may even cure some people who have cancer, aplastic anemia or other life-limiting conditions. Manipulation or replacement of marrow may combat auto-immune disorders like multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis or fix genetic metabolic defects."


Why your Stem Cells are your very own Obi wan Kenobi

"You may be your own best match, depending on why you need a transplant. Self-donation, called autologous, is most often used when cancer responds to chemotherapy. Some of the patient's stem cells are removed, then the patient receives even stronger doses of chemotherapy (which kill marrow, along with the cancer). Then the stored marrow (stem cells) is returned. It requires functioning stem cells to do the job, though.
With self-donation, doctors may collect enough stem cells for as many as three transplants, before allowing the rest of the marrow to be destroyed."

StemLife provides adult stem cell collection and banking services. We have banked and released peripheral blood stem cells for adult patients with cancers, heart disease and diabetic foot ulcers. In the case of cancers though, most patients utilize all of the stem cells, whilst in heart or diabetic foot ulcers, it does depend on the individual's condition and there may be sufficient cells for two or even three doses.

Interested patients are invited to give us a call anytime to discuss the possibilities of stem cell therapy for their own condition. Reach us at 603 2163 8800 or call our hotline at 6012 2050165 (24 Hours).

NOVEL & NEW: Amusing and Creative Stem Cell Applications

I read with much amusement today, 2 articles -which were on stem cells- but not the stem cells that we usually think about or cover here in this blog. But because of its novelty value I thought I'd dwell on it in this entry.

The first amusing article was about a spa in New York's Upper Manhattan which launched a USD 250 (RM 900) facial treatment named "Frozen in Time" that claimed to use stem cells derived from aborted cow embryos to restore damaged skin.

Note: If you're not a regular spa client, you can get a great regular facial using plant extracts or aromatherapy essences for about USD 50 (RM 130-180) in Kuala Lumpur.

The owner (sounds like an enterprising chinese lady) is capitalizing on the rejuvenating properties of stem cells to attract well-heeled clientele who have tried everything else to, launch her new day spa. A cheeky note in the article said that La Prairie (a Swiss anti-ageing spa) at the Ritz Carlton in New York was not to be outdone and offered caviar facials for USD 270 (also available in KL!).

I've been to La Prairie's spa opening here in KL, the caviar creams come in beautiful bottles were very tempting but the caviar should probably have been eaten for its nutritional value which might have at least had some systemic effect! I'm not sure about what other's think but aborted cow fetuses sounds a little gory to me...

The second article revolves around the launch of a new stem cell bank which explores and pushes the limit of the source of stem cells. A company called BioEden has decided that there is a potential market of parents who wish to bank their children's teeth stem cells. Based on the founding of these stem cells (contribution by his 6 year old daughter) by Dr. Song tao Shi* (who heads the Dental Biology Unit at NIH) in 2003, it appears that they have managed to spin this off as a new business idea.

The cells obtained are purely for autologous use and the company's website indicates that a special kit is required to ensure that the tooth is collected in special solutions (milk based) before it falls out on its own. The bank charges USD 595 per tooth for the initial processing (stem cells are harvested from the tooth pulp and grown to a certain bankable number) and USD 89 for its annual cryogenic fee. The site also reminds you that each child will have 12 teeth... that's 12 chances to bank the stem cells for future use!


IS IT WORTH IT?

Frankly, I think it's a bit of a stretch- parents already feel the pinch parting with cash for baby's cord blood stem cells which is a proven source, so tooth stem cells might be targetting a niche market for now. Until the time that these stem cells can prove that it can grow another set of teeth, there'll be skeptics... and orthodontics!

As for 6 year old teeth, if you decide to do it, at least you can tell your kid that the tooth fairy kept one of them for the same price as a unit of cord blood stem cells in Malaysia.



*Read how tooth stem cells were first found in this article published in the New Scientist in 2003.

Mobilized Peripheral Stem Cells for Retina Repair?

A welcome announcement from the researchers at University of Florida earlier in the month on the possibility of using patient's own mobilized bone marrow stem cells in peripheral blood to restore lost retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

RPE is important as it forms the nourishing outer barrier of the retina and supports the cells that receive light for transmission through our optic nerve to our brain. Essentially, damaged RPE results in macular degeneration (important for fine work and reading) which often happens with age.

Interestingly, scientists were able to establish that RPE cells could replenish naturally in animals that received bone marrow cells. What they did was to use bone marrow stem cells from normal male mice and put them into albino females with acute RPE injuries. The scientists were able to track the male pigment producing cells in the female albino recipients, proof that the stem cells were the reason for regenerating the RPEs.

The interesting part is that the stem cells were able to travel to the site of injury from the blood stream and repair the damaged RPEs which were thought incapable of regeneration in adults.

"The dogma has been that we're born with a fixed amount of RPE, but there is growing evidence retinal progenitor cells exist in the adult," said Lawrence Rizzolo, Ph.D., a Yale University associate professor of anatomy and experimental surgery and of ophthalmology and visual science.

"To derive cells of neuronal lineage from cells of bone-marrow lineage is significant, if the finding stands up to the test of time. Compared to RPE transplantation, there are a lot of advantages if someone's own bone marrow could supply the cells, because it's a ready source and the cells would not be rejected by the patient. Further, if bone-marrow progenitors circulating in the blood could be attracted to sites of disease, surgery could be avoided."

Sight is such an important sense, probably more than smell and likely on par with hearing and touch. If a stem cell infusion could restore RPEs and at least help stop the progress of macular degeneration, this would really be a treatment categorized under anti-aging. Apart from mice, I'm wondering when they'll start enrolling humans into the trial.