Using adult stem cells for heart problems

A recent news article reminded me that "adult" stem cell research continues while the issue of federal funding of embryonic stem cell research remains unchanged. The article I saw came June 2 from WTAE Channel 4 Action News in Pittsburg and highlights Richard Howell's receipt of stem cells in an effort to reverse the heart failure that "left him too weak to leave his living room and at risk for complications, including organ failure."

Howell is one of a number of patients in experimental stem cell studies. This one is taking place at the Cleveland Clinic, recently a recipient of a $24 million grant--along with Case Western Reserve University (Case) and its partners, University Hospitals of Cleveland (UHC), and Athersys, Inc.

According to Dr. Stephen Ellis of The Cleveland Clinic: "Mr. Howell received 18 separate injections encompassing about 200 million cells. By giving these cells, the hope is the heart muscle will function better, contract better." The cells came--not from bone marrow, as might have been expected, or even from peripheral blood cells, but--from thigh muscle cells.

One of the fascinating aspects of the source of the stem cells is that cardiac muscle and thigh muscle cells are different types and designed for different functions. One type does not generally convert into the other. The news article did not explain how stem cells--rather than fully developed muscle cells--were identified and removed for transplant.

So far, Howell--who couldn't walk to the mail box--is "out of his living room and on the beach" 6 weeks after surgery. Howell agreed to take the risks--including possible arrhythmias or potentially lethal rapid heart rhythms--even though it may take months, or even years, before anyone knows if the experiment was successful.

The news article can be found at http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/health/9314174/detail.html Details about the Cleveland Clinic are accessible from their home page: www.clevelandclinic.org

Marie Godfrey, PhD