Nano-magnets treat arteries

Tuesday August 18th, 2009

British scientists have developed a revolutionary technique to conduct repairs of cells deep within the body, it was announced today.

The new technique uses "nano-magnets" to guide new cells to damaged parts of the body.

Trials at University College, London, involved steering stem cells into the arteries of rats.

The cells, known as endothelial progenitor cells, can repair damaged artery walls and were tagged with nano-sized magnets, which were steered by a machine outside the animals.

The research is reported in JACC: Cardiological Interventions.

The researchers, led by Dr Panagiotis Kyrtatos, write: "This technology could be more widely adapted to localise cells in other organs and may provide a useful tool for the systemic injection of cell therapies."

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: "This encouraging research shows that nanomagnets could be used to help therapeutic stem cells reach specific areas of the body, particularly inside blood vessels where the blood is flowing fast and at high pressure.

"It is hoped that this strategy could be used to help these cells home-in to the sites of diseased tissue and improve the chances of repairing it.

"We await further research to find out if, as well as increasing the chances of these cells getting to where they are needed, this strategy can actually speed up the repair process."

J Am Coll Cardiol Intv, 2009; 2:794-802, doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2009.05.014

Tags: Heart Health | Internal Medicine | UK News

Printer friendly page