Under normal conditions the mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from the bone marrow of adults develop into cartilage tissue which then remodels into bone tissue. This is similar to what happens after a fracture, for example.
However, the researchers found they could prevent embryonic cartilage from becoming bone tissue by inhibiting the signaling pathway of a specific protein called Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP). By temporarily blocking specific BMP receptors they were able to maintain stable cartilage tissue in the lab and in mice.
“Importantly, we have achieved our insights by mimicking molecular processes occurring during embryonic cartilage formation,” said study leader Ivan Martin.
The findings confirm the importance of the field of “developmental engineering” where natural processes are replicated to control the development of adult stem and progenitor cells. The Basel researchers worked with the Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, which produced and supplied the inhibitors. The results were publishedExternal link in the US Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal this Monday.
According to Martin, the “cultivated cartilage” could potentially be used to treat cartilage injuries and degeneration by manufacturing engineered cartilage grafts, combining it with existing procedures, or releasing it directly into joints. Transforming this discovery into clinical use is still a long time away though, he cautions.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
Switzerland to step up humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Syria
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The Swiss government decided to allocate an additional CHF7 million to the two countries in response to the escalating violence in the Middle East.
Report exposes widespread hygiene issues in Swiss hospitals
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A Swissmedic report found that nearly all of the 25 Swiss hospitals inspected had issues with disinfecting, sterilising and packaging of medical products.
Swiss bank Mirabaud closes brokerage unit due to poor performance
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The move spanning the bank’s global operations means a loss of 17 jobs, including five each in Switzerland and the UK, and seven in Spain.
Guterres condemns Israel’s plan to label UNRWA a terrorist organisation
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken out against a law proposed by the Israeli parliament that would classify UNRWA as a terrorist organisation.
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The Swiss federal technology institute ETH Zurich is the best university in continental Europe, according to the Times Higher Education ranking.
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Swiss research team cures arthritis in mice
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Up to this point, doctors have used various drugs to slow or stop the progression of the disease. But the therapy developed by ETH Zurich researchers takes the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in mice to a new level: after receiving the medication, researchers consider the animals to be fully cured. The drug is a biotechnologically…
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This new technique was applied on five patients, aged 76 to 88, with severe defects on their nose after skin cancer surgery. One year after the reconstruction, all five patients were satisfied with their ability to breathe as well as with the cosmetic appearance of their nose. None of them reported any side effects. The…
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The largest bird in the Alps, the bearded vulture was exterminated in the 19th century and is a vulnerable species today.
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