Researchers have come up with a new way to promote tissue regeneration, where a cell can develop into a new organ. John P Cooke, the chair of cardiovascular science in Houston Methodist Research Institute and the leader of the team responsible for the discovery, explained how nuclear reprogramming is enhanced by activating innate immunity. He also explains that nuclear reprogramming is the first step in generating tissues that later form the new organ.
Innate immunity, which is naturally present and it is not triggered by introduction of antigens, is activated a.d therefore it opens up the DNA. The open state of the DNA makes it possible for the formation of induced pluripotent cell stem, that has the ability of producing other cells or tissues. This is a discovery that will help revolutionize the transplant of organs by creating artificial organs. According to Cooke, activating of innate immunity can aid the in regeneration if damaged cells which can help a wound heal faster than the expected time and the same can be used to cure heart attacks. Cooke’s team is working continuously on achieving the latter and therefore reduce deaths caused by heart attacks.
This might turn out to be another discovery that will open up doors for patients in need of organ transplant. The gap between the need of organ transplant and people who are willing to donate is still wide and biologists are working day and night to try a close the gap by coming up with their own means of organs regeneration. The new discovery from Cooke and his team believes their discovery can actually aid in regeneration of artificial heart, liver and the heart, some of the organs that have been troubling the doctors when it comes to their transplant process.