Stem cell educator

The stem cell educator: lymphocytes isolated from a diabetes type 1 patient (blue color) by blood cell separator are transferred into the device at top right and come into contact with CB-SCs (green color) inside the device. Educated lymphocytes are returned for circulation at bottom left.

The stem cell educator is a device that is claimed to change or "re-educate" the behavior of human immune cells by placing the subjects cells in close proximity to stem cells, so as to alleviate or cure certain autoimmune diseases.

Device

Cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells (CB-SCs) are isolated from human cord blood[1][2] and act as educators for the patient's immune cells in the chamber. The hydrophobic material from (USP Class VI) plastic Petri dishes tightly binds CB-SCs without interfering with their immune modulating capability.

The chamber for co-culture of lymphocytes and CB-SCs includes nine discs of the material with adherent CB-SCs sandwiched between a top cover plate and a bottom collecting plate.[1]

Research

A Phase I/II open-label trial of stem cell educator therapy was completed in February 2012 in type 2 diabetes.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Yong Zhao, Honglan Wang, Theodore Mazzone (Aug 1, 2006). "Identification of stem cells from human umbilical cord blood with embryonic and hematopoietic characteristics". Exp Cell Res 312 (13): 2454–2464. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2006.04.008. PMID 16716296.
  2. ↑ Yong Zhao, Theodore Mazzone (December 2010). "Human cord blood stem cells and the journey to a cure for type 1 diabetes.". Autoimmun Rev 10 (2): 103–107. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2010.08.011. PMID 20728583.
  3. ↑ "Stem cell educator therapy in type 2 diabetes". NCT01415726. U.S. National Institutes of Health. February 16, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.