Pioneering heart disease treatment
Researchers at King’s College London have developed the
first artificial functioning blood vessel outside of the body, made from
reprogrammed stem cells from human skin. The team also saw the cells develop
into a blood vessel inside the body for the first time.
The new technique could have real potential to treat
patients with heart disease – the biggest killer in the UK – by either
injecting the reprogrammed cells into the leg or heart to restore blood flow or
grafting an artificially developed vessel into the body to replace blocked or
damaged vessels. The treatment could also benefit diabetic patients with poor
circulation, preventing leg amputation.