Imagine if the cells found in your body could be developed in such a way that they could treat lung and liver diseases and diabetes.
Countless medical studies are being carried out to find the exact cause of diseases and conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and ways to treat, and some day, cure them.
The use of cell manipulation has often raised eyebrows among some people, but it could be this kind of science that could help treat and potentially cure these, currently, incurable conditions.
Scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine carried out a study which shows cells can be modified and transplanted back into those with a range of conditions without being rejected.
Skin or blood cells can be taken from the body, developed into Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and then used to make tissue to be transplanted back.
Unlike stem cells, iPS cells are not specific to one organ and can be used to develop any kind of tissue found in the human body. According to the latest study, iPS cells can be transplanted back into the donor, unlike stem cells which are rejected.
The scientists took adult cells and derived iPS cells from them, charicterising them into three types: nerve, liver and blood vessel lining cells.
The researchers then transplanted the cells into an experimental model and found no signs of rejection or that the immune system was working to reject them.
When the immune system rejects transplantation, the patient has to take immunosuppressive drugs which have serious side-effects, not least increasing their risk of developing cancer.
If the iPS cells can be transplanted with no rejection from the patient, it would mean these drugs can be avoided in the future.