Human Limb Regeneration

Scientific Research On Limb Regeneration For Humans

New Stem Technology Replicates Salamanders Limb Regeneration Abilities

Human Regeneration, Limb Regeneration, Stem Cells / by / 35 Comments

Australian Scientists believe they have made a powerful revolutionary new discovery of inducing regeneration of any bone and tissue similar to the way salamanders regrow lost limbs with trials planned in 2017.

The group of scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) say this new stem cell technique has the ability to not only regrow bone and tissue, and heal wounds that have been damaged and/or lost but has the potential to lead into something far bigger, possibly into complex structures and organs.

This could cause a complete transformation in how stem cell technologies can be used to treat injuries.  Along with a real game changer that would open up new avenues of development for human limb regeneration which would transform the lives of amputees, making prosthetics obsolete.

Its important not to under estimate the significance of this new kind of research with Australia leading the field in Regenerative Medicine.

Therapies that are based on ‘induced impotent stem’ cells (iMS) could start as early as next year (2017) after they demonstrated the reprogramming of fat and bone cells. iMS is a theoretical process of cells being used to regenerate muscle, bone, and cartilage.

Controlled Cellular Regeneration

One of the many challenges that scientists have come across in this research is the regrowth of cells without becoming cancerous. The iMS method is different from other kinds of stem cells that can differentiate into many types of cells, as they not considered to run the risk of stimulating cancer in the process.

What this means is that with this multi-potent stem cell method, according to Professor John Pimanda of UNSW, once they are transplanted into areas of damaged tissue, controlled repair of tissue seemed to be observed. So the process only heals the tissues that are damaged, leaving healthy tissue alone.

Human Regeneration

This new stem call technology takes mouse and human bone with fat cells, and converts them into multi-potent stem cells. What is exciting is that you take a patient’s own fat or bone tissue and generate a type of cell that looks like a regenerating stem cell.how can stem cells regrow limbs

You then put them back into the patient’s body and bring about a genuine repair of the damaged tissue. So the injured bone and tissue can be regenerated with these cells that have just been developed.

What Are Induced Multi-Potent Stem Cells?

At the moment, researchers whom have been investigating regenerative therapies, have worked with embryonic stem (ES) cells and along with induced pluri-potent stem (iPS) cells. They both have similar characteristics of behavior, multiplying indefinitely with the ability to transform into any kind of bodily tissue. The ES cells are naturally obtained from early stage of embryos, while iPS cells are created by reprogramming adult cells.

The challenge with both of these stem cell models is they run the risk of generating cancerous tumors. In addition, iPS cells are generated by genes that are injected with viruses, this is of course clinically unacceptable.

The induced multi-potent cells (iMS) have a more limited capability but are claimed to be safer than ES and iPS methods. The group of researchers in Australia, were able to produce them by inducing “plasticity” in the fat and bone cells using human and mouse donors.

These donor fat cells get treated for about three days using a growth factor that is derived using platelets, along with cells called AZA (or 5-Azacitidine). This AZA invokes plasticity and is a requirement to allow a growth factor take place called PDGF-AB to reprogram them into iMS cells.

When this these modified cells are injected into the damaged area, they stimulate regeneration. The end result is that it excitingly mimics the way salamanders also use plasticity to regrow lost limbs and tails, the scientists claim.

Human Trials Planned

It is still unclear according to scientists how the science behind this new stem cell technology works and how these cells know what to generate and where. It is thought that the cells lose their hard wired identity, with the fat cells forgetting what it is and responds to surrounding cells.

So there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of understanding scientifically the process.

However, human trials are expect to start by the end of next year of 2017. This technology uses the patient’s own stem cells so there is less chance of tissue rejection.

The initial phase of a human trial project will involve focusing on musculoskeletal challenges, and repairing joint and muscle degenerated, neck and back pain, spinal disc injury and the speeding up of wound healing from post surgical injuries.

These cells have the ability to generate their own blood supply which scientists feel is important. Patients whom have blood vessels that are damaged with their tissues dying as a result since they are not getting enough blood supply.

The scientists whom will be leading the human trials with this new stem cell treatment feel  that they can regenerate both the patients blood supplies and the lost or damaged tissue.how can stem cells regrow limbs

Could This Treatment Regrow Lost Limbs?

You will notice above that the analogy of the salamander is given where this stem cell technology mimics the way salamander regenerates its own bodily tissues.

In a way what scientists seem to be doing is reverse engineering what the Salamander, such as the Axolotl in Mexico does, in regrowing its own limbs that have been lost or damaged.

So how can stem cells regrow limbs, and does this stem cell research answers those questions?

While certainly at the moment we are some way from achieving that scientific miracle, scientists do believe that the description of inducing salamander-like regeneration in humans is a correct description with this kind of technology.

This new discovery has the potential to create a revolution regenerative medicine in a few years. They believe that this research is a major breakthrough not least with using stem cells to regrow tissue and not become tumor-like.

New Powerful Potential Treatments

What is so powerful about this discovery and research, is that scientists have been able to find a way to take someone’s own bone or fat cells, and generate a kind of cell that behaves as a regenerative stem cell.  These cells are then placed in the human’s body and they bring about genuine regeneration of the lost or damaged tissue.

Damaged tissue and damaged bone can be repaired with these cells that have been developed for the patient.

Clearly this is a stepping stone to something of far greater potential as the technology develops and clearly it will lead into more complex healing as the technology develops, along with combining with what other scientists are doing in related research into human limb regeneration.

The research led by the scientists at University of New South Wales is published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences.

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Comments

      • Can someone please clarify in laymans terms – how is iMS preferable to the combo of CordBlood-MSC-combined-with-amniotic? Thanks.

        Reply

        • Hi Judy,

          When turning on certain genetic sequencing or certain codes for stimulating regeneration, one of the challenges observed is when the stem cells differentiate into many types of cells they can become cancerous. As opposed to other stem cell therapies the iMS method does not have this problem.

          So I think the scientists working on this research were getting better results based on what they were trying to achieve using iMS.

          Embryo Cord Blood – Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) – with the integration of the amniotic membrane are showing very promising results in the field of regenerative medicine. However, different kinds of stem cell technologies will be better suited for what is trying to be accomplished.

          It is a really good question and I will put it back to the researchers working on this project and see what they say.

          Thanks,
          Alexander.

          Reply

          • Alexander, thanks for responding & so sorry for my belated response, since i just happened to see this (as i don’t get eNotified via blogs as i do with forums).

            I was very anxious about this question (due to my severe varicose/neuropathic legs/feet as well as spinal OA) and so i’d also posed similar Qs to Dr.Riordan which were never answered. That’s how it goes. But it’s probably barred to me in any case due to my shoestring budget.

            I wonder if they offer trustworthy quality treatment in Thailand, given their budget pricing. I’ve read hints of same, but not sure what/who to believe anymore.

    • Yes it is possible. It has been possible since the earlee 1970s. Religious biggots get in the way ov these technologies being mass produced. Not to mention the phamacutical industree that stands to loose billions if these techs cure most disease and bodilee degrigdation. Vested interests don’t want stemcells to be developed on mass. It has been an uphill battle for decades to get this tech off the ground. The last I heard they were growing a monkey leg on a monkey from stemcells. They have grown a rat leg on a rat. Human trials are said to begin in 2017.

      Reply

      • I too heard researchers were working on regrowing limbs in the 70’s. My prosthetist told me in the early 90’s that experiments had already begun on primates. The complications were the subject’s leg/arm grew too long, too short, disfigured, etc. The researchers said in 10 years, it would be perfected. Like drug addiction, medicine is big business, so who knows if it will be done in our life time, unless the for profit insurance companies push for it.

        Reply

      • O’Keefe, you’re absolutely on-the-mark. It’s greedy, egotistical scum that have caused needless human suffering for centuries. Same scum, different era’s.

        Reply

        • Hi Judy,

          I agree with you that due to self-interests and those with a lack of vision has held back the progress and expansion of humanity.

          This is the reason I created this website to bring awareness of limb regeneration and to say let’s fix this and make a difference. When I created this website and project I wrote an article detailing the reasons why I created this project.

          Thank you so much for sharing your passion and I hope the powers will change and give it back to the people, then we can transform and heal amputees with regrowing one limb and organ at a time!

          Thanks,
          Alexander.

          Reply

    • Hi Harshith,

      So sorry about your injury and hope you are getting the help and support you need.

      It is not possible to regrow a new leg at this point nor is it possible to rebuild a new leg via 3D printing technologies. However, this is certainly coming but it is difficult to say when as this kind of science and research is very much in its infancy.

      However, looking at all the research that I am posting on this blog, coming from difference scientists with different backgrounds in certain areas, it is looking very encouraging. And now there is more powerful investment and funding being put into human regeneration.

      Thanks,
      Alexander.

      Reply

  4. I lost a part of my 10 fingers (CASE OF FROSTBITE). I am more than ready to enter a CT provided there is no sham arm: to my knowledge, the placebo effect was never shown to regenerate limbs! If you’re looking for very motivated patients, I would be very happy to be considered in your clinical trials should they start in 2017.

    Since the amputations 22 years ago I always said that by the time I will retire from work, science and technology will allow me to fully enjoy life again. However if this is happening before I retire from work, it’s ok with me 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi JC,

      Thank you for your comments. The clinical human trials that is discussed in this article is for musculoskeletal problems. Along with the repairing of joint and muscle that has degraded. Plus, neck / back pain, and spinal disc injury and the speeding up of wound healing from post surgical injuries.

      This is an initial small step to something far greater. Scientists are no where near yet to conduct clinical trials on limb regeneration but this will eventually come if the above initial trials are successful..

      It will be interesting to see how the initial trails for muscle and bone repair that they talked about will play out.

      I think the initial step with any kind of trials for limb regeneration would evolve out of successful breakthroughs with full digit regeneration. But this has still to happen. Perhaps complete digit regeneration will occur sometime in the next decade?

      Some scientists say that while we cannot regrow a new arm today they believe we will in 10 years or by 2030. But it is too difficult to say at the moment.

      I am not a scientists and not involved in any clinical trial. This blog is about reporting of the latest discoveries and progress to date.

      I am sorry about your injuries and hope life has not been too challenging for you.

      While it is difficult to tell at this stage, but if what some scientists say is correct then I am certain that by the next decade you are going to be fascinated in the scientific developments made.

      So please stick around! 🙂

      Thanks,
      Alexander.

      Reply

      • I have this fantasy that will probably never actualize. My fantasy is that just like there’s a place in PA that’s a sanctuary for electrosensitives to flee to (because there’s no electricity there)…

        …likewise, i wish some influential doctors could collaborate with powerful lawyers, so that there could be sanctuary “Amnesty” locale (such as Texas & Costa Rica) for disabled people to travel to, where GENUINE REPAIR-CARE CLINICS could legally conduct research and healing, unhindered by the FDA. Rather, they can be regulated by an independent regulatory agency composed exclusively of formerly-disabled volunteers who thus have our best interests in mind.

        …just like diplomats are allowed to operate with “diplomatic immunity” – the same law should legally extend to those who are ill & disabled!

        …why can’t lawyers tweak legalities for ill people using the precedent of “diplomatic immunity”? Albeit this could be called Disabled-Immunity!

        Reply

        • Hi Judy,

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. It is indeed right that there is much bureaucracy coming from the FDA that could well end up harming the patients since it is holding up clinical trials taking place. The clinical trial environment that you mentioned where one could go and have the required experimental treatments without any hindrance from the likes of excessive regulation is something that the U.S. Military is working on.

          They have set up their own restorative injury repair for soldiers who have suffered trauma (injury) on the battlefield. The project is known as The Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine or happily called AFIRM.

          It was set up initially back in 2008 as a preliminary 5-year research project that would lead to something bigger with a kick start injection of $250 million from the Pentagon and DARPA into regenerative medicine. One of their goals was to see what could be achieved with limb regeneration along with skin regeneration. The project has now gone into its second phase.

          The idea is that instead of new research just staying inside the lab, let’s get the patient directly exposed to new treatments when they come in with injuries. As new stem cell technologies are produced they implement them on the patient and gather the results of what is effective and how to further develop the new technologies, as under the military they don’t have the same regulatory restrictions with new clinical trials. In the case of the civilian population, it is different.

          Initial phase one of limb regeneration research was completed back in 2010 where they were successful up to a point of producing a blastema in the lab.

          In the case of the treatment of burns, what they have achieved with skin regeneration using a special spray gun technology that takes the patient’s own stem cells and incubates them as they multiply is really impressive. These stem skin cells are then sprayed on to the patients burn area and the results are studied.

          For 2nd degree burns there have been amazing results and it is hoped the technology can be developed further for 3rd-degree burns to regenerate the skin. This spray gun technology is very different from the painful conventional skin grafting methods that are limited and not always successful.

          The great thing about this, it is not just kept for the military but new technologies in regenerative medicine that the US Military have been working on is now starting to spill over into the public domain with the civilian population.

          I have provided the following links on this website for your interest:

          The Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine

          Military Medicine Focusing On Humans Regrowing Limbs Like Salamanders

          3D Printing Of Human Organs With The Use Of Stem Cells

          The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute Is Regenerating Human Limbs

          I think your idea or fantasy is a really good one and it should be encouraged!

          It is possible to have such an environment where both amputees and other kinds of patients are able to attend a healing sanctuary for new experimental treatments in regenerative medicine. It is possible to do this while protecting the patient with regulatory bodies that would be specialized for this purpose.

          Your idea and concept on this is an excellent one and I hope something like that occurs in the future. I will be setting up a discussion forum on this website soon and the excellent ideas you expressed here would be excellent for further discussion.

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I hope your fantasy or idea becomes a reality very soon.

          Thanks,
          Alexander.

          Reply

          • Oh my, now i’m 2 years belated, because I don’t believe i got eNotices, and i’m constantly distracted.

            Alexander, thank you so very much for all your educational and on-point responses, and i found what you said about advanced military research very interesting. I hope to explore them further.

            When mentioning “legal amnesty repaircare sanctuaries and disability immunity” I forgot to mention the “compassionate use” legality which can perhaps be called into use. The snag in the ointment, is that the evil powers-that-be decide (at their tyrranical whim) which drugs to grant their authorization for compassionate use, as happened with hydroxychloroquine vs. remdesivir. So they’d nix regenerative techniques at whim too. It doesn’t matter how good the lawyer or doctor is, because they’re threatened and blackmailed.

            While researching, i’ve often been discouraged due to lack of communication. For example, i’d viewed ThriveOn’s accolades of Dr. Todd Ovokaitys http://drtoddo.com/about-dr-todd/ but when i try contacting any of them about my situation, either their contact-form glitches on me, as with ThriveOn, or else no response in Dr. Ovokaitys case.

          • OK, i just browsed a bit, and am very wary of DARPA, after reading the below. Seems veterans are meant to be used as human guinea pigs, reminiscent of MK Ultra.

            https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/is-top-secret-military-agency-darpa-developing-human-cyborg-soldiers/

            https://wariscrime.com/new/the-13-most-evil-us-government-human-experiments/

            I’m only pro high-tech when it’s used to genuinely help humanity, not when its used to control humanity. There’s just some lines which shouldn’t be crossed.

    • Hi Alvin,

      Thank you for your comment. For more information on research into regrowing lost limbs, please check out the rest of this website. Also check the links to the source within my postings where the research has been carried out by the group of scientists involved in each study.

      You may also like to look at the following website where they are researching into limb regeneration.

      http://regeneration.bio.uci.edu/

      Thanks,
      Alexander.

      Reply

  6. I have Avascular Necrosis of the femoral head. I don’t mind joining your clinical trials. Only problem is that I live in South Africa. I don’t mind trying anything else before a total hip replacement.

    Reply

  8. Even my left arm stopped growing for me after an injury . It does not functions as my right arm and the size also varies . The muscles also got wasted . Can you suggest any solution ( like any good hospital , top surgens ) for my problem ……. And i am from india……..

    Reply

  9. Where did they go after giving us a hope of starting clinical trial in last 2017? Did you inquiry them about it? Why they said to start trial in last 2017 and disappeared from the earth now?

    Reply

  10. My 3 yrs old grand daughter had child syndrome ..involving left side of the body.She was born with 3 fingers missing and agenesis of leftlimb below knee joint.Do you think limb regeneration is possible ?

    Reply

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