Prospects for the use of nuclear transfer in human transplantation
Robert P. Lanza, Jose B. Cibelli
& Michael D. West
Advanced Cell Technology, Worcester,
MA 01605.
Correspondence should be addressed to Robert P. Lanza rlanza@advancedcell.comtherapeutic cloningnuclear transfertransplantationtissue engineeringstem cell
The successful application of nuclear transfer techniques to a range of
mammalian species has brought the possibility of human therapeutic cloning
significantly closer. The objective of therapeutic cloning is to produce pluripotent
stem cells that carry the nuclear genome of the patient and then induce them
to differentiate into replacement cells, such as cardiomyocytes to replace
damaged heart tissue or insulin-producing cells for patients with diabetes.
Although cloning would eliminate the critical problem of immune incompatibility,
there is also the task of reconstituting the cells into more complex tissues
and organs in vitro. In the review, we discuss recent progress that has been
made in this field as well as the inherent dangers and scientific challenges
that remain before these techniques can be used to harness genetically matched
cells and tissues for human transplantation.
cells for patients with diabetes.
Although cloning would eliminate the critical problem of immune incompatibility,
there is also the task of reconstituting the cells into more complex tissues
and organs in vitro. In the review, we discuss recent progress that has been
made in this field as well as the inherent dangers and scientific challenges
that remain before these techniques can be used to harness genetically matched
cells and tissues for human transplantation.
