London: The fabled human spare parts kit
may someday become a reality, thanks to scientists who claim to
have discovered a gene which could allow regrowing of damaged
body parts.
An international team, led by The Wistar Institute
in Philadelphia, has found that the p21 gene could block the
healing power still enjoyed by some creatures like amphibians,
but lost through evolution to all other animals. By turning
off p21, the process can be miraculously switched back on.
In their research, the scientists found that mice
lacking the p21 gene gain the ability to regenerate lost or
damaged tissue. Unlike typical mammals, which heal wounds by
forming a scar, these animals begin by forming a blastema, a
structure associated with rapid cell growth.
According to them, the loss of p21 causes the cells
of these mice to behave more like regenerating embryonic stem
cells rather than adult mammalian cells. This means they act
as if they creating rather thane mending the body.
They turned off the gene in mice which had damaged
ears and they regrew them. While they say it is early days,
there is nothing theoretically different about applying the
same process to humans, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Lead scientist Professor Ellen Heber-Katz said:
"Much like a newt that has lost a limb these mice will replace
missing or damaged tissue with healthy tissue that lacks any
sign of scarring.
"While we are just beginning to understand the
repercussions of these findings, perhaps, one day we'll be
able to accelerate healing in humans by temporarily
inactivating the p21 gene.
"In normal cells, p21 acts like a brake to block
cell cycle progression in the event of DNA damage, preventing
the cells from dividing and potentially becoming cancerous.
"We propose that any future therapy would involve
turning off p21 transiently during the healing process and
only locally at the wound site. This might be done through
locally applied drugs. This should minimise any side effects."
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 11:46