In a recent study published in the journal iScience, researchers have revealed a new way to create human cartilage for the head and neck. This study was conducted by researchers from the University of Montana along with their partners and led by Mark Grimes, a biology professor at UM. They successfully turned stem cells into specific types of cells found in human craniofacial cartilage. These stem cells have unique characteristics as they can copy and turn themselves into different kinds of cells. Â
In this research, researchers used neural crest cells to make craniofacial organoids- tiny versions of organs that have the same genetic structure and show how that organ works. These organoids helped researchers study certain human tissues effectively. Â
Researchers looked at gene expression data on RNA and protein levels to understand the process of cartilage cell formation from stem cells in the lab. They found that stem cells communicate during the early stages to transform into elastic cartilage- cartilage found in human ears. To understand more about these steps of cartilage formation, researchers focused on biological markers and used machine-learning methods. Â
One of the researchers explained how important it is to know the process of craniofacial cartilage formation from stem cells in the lab, as almost 2,30,000 children are born with craniofacial cartilage defects in the U.S. every year. Creating cartilage in the lab can also help fix damaged cartilage during accidents.Â
In this research, researchers successfully created craniofacial cartilage for transplantation by using human stem cells. The findings of this research are very useful as the human body sometimes rejects transplanted tissue if patients don’t use medication to suppress the immune system. With the help of current plastic surgery methods, it is very hard to recreate natural features like the human nose, ears, and larynx. Â
The findings of this research will help healthcare professionals make craniofacial cartilage as they explain the process of craniofacial cartilage formation in the lab. The healthcare professionals can use this process and create craniofacial cartilage in the lab to treat people suffering from craniofacial cartilage damage. Even though the results of this research are positive, there is a need to research more about this to make it more effective. Â
Reference Link:Â
Lauren Foltz et al, Craniofacial Chondrogenesis in Organoids from Human Stem Cell-Derived Neural Crest Cells, iScience (2024). Â
