The promise of stem-cell therapy is long-term repair of damaged organs by transplantation. Inoculum size might be a determinant of successful repair, and efforts are being made to improve conditions for ex vivo expansion of stem cells prior to transplantation. A recent article by Damelin and colleagues raised concerns about this approach, demonstrating that stem cells lack the decatenation G2 checkpoint that preserves genetic stability. Cells that fail to disentangle chromatids prior to mitosis are prone to the types of chromosomal aberrations that are observed in cancer cells. Ex vivo expansion of stem cells might have the unintended consequence of encouraging malignant progression.
Dangerous entanglements. Publishing Authors By Initials
Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Dangerous entanglements. Information
Substance Name: DNA Topoisomerases, Type II
Registry Number: EC 5.99.1.3
Grant and Affiliation Information for Dangerous entanglements.
AFFILIATION: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7295, USA. wkarlk@med.unc.edu
