Julia Friend
Author: Rob Stein
Published: April 30th, 2014
Link (NPR)
Summary:
A medical team has discovered a way to encourage the regeneration of muscle tissue after its destruction in some sort of trauma. The experiment subjects were five men disabled from war - one, for instance, stepped on a land mine. The scientists found a way to stimulate muscle growth using extracellular matrix, a substance surrounding cells. It is similar to glue in that it keeps all of the cells together; in addition, the matrix has signals that can instruct the cells in certain ways. By transferring new, unaffected matrix from pig bladders to the damaged leg muscles of the men, scientists were successful in promoting new muscle growth. The matrix signaled to dormant, immature muscle cells to grow, thus regenerating the muscles. The men subjected to the experiment all saw improvements on various levels: some could now walk without their canes, and some could even complete harder tasks such as jumping jacks or hiking - men who originally had trouble even getting out of a chair independently. This method is being developed further as a replacement for ineffective options, such as muscle replacements and physical therapy.
Connections:
The muscles affected in these men were voluntarily controlled, and were thus skeletal muscles (as opposed to the involuntary cardiac and smooth muscles). The damage to these muscles came from an acute form of trauma: a single particular action destroyed those muscles, such as stepping on a land mine. This trauma is a form of homeostatic imbalance, where the muscles cannot function as they are supposed to. The leg muscles of these men could not support their body or aid in physical movement. The regeneration of their muscles restored, or partially restored, homeostasis so that those men could take part in the activities they once did before their injuries. The article as a whole relates to the muscular system, its parts, and its functions - all of which we discussed as a class with the powerpoint and book notes.
Is there any side effects known yet, and is there a reason the matrix was taken from pig bladders?
ReplyDeleteWhen the matrix signals cell growth, it activates stem cells, which can develop into various cell types; the immature cells but be worked into become muscle cells with physical therapy. Thus, a possible side effect would be that the cells would not develop into the desired muscle tissue.
DeleteAs for why pig bladders, good question! Pig tissue is more relatively similar to human tissue, although the matrix is found in most multicellular organisms (LA Times). It's possible the foreign matrix can better acclimate to something recognizable.
Does this treatment work for severe trauma, or only for mild/little muscle damage?
ReplyDelete