Genetically Engineered Organs Implanted in Patients

Just recently scientists report the first human recipients of laboratory-grown vaginal organs. Doctor Anthony Atala led a research team that successfully implanted the organs in four teenage girls. The organs were engineered using muscle and epithelial cells from a small biopsy of each patients external genitals. The cells were extracted from the tissues, expanded and then placed on a biodegradable material that was hand-sewn into a vagina-like shape. These scaffolds were tailor-made to fit each patient.

The girls that received the organs were between 13 and 18 years old at the time of their surgeries and now up to 8 years later the organs continue to function normally after analysis in annual follow-ups. These visits consisted of tissue biopsies, mri scans, and internal exams which used magnification which all showed that the lab-grown vaginas were similar in makeup and function to native tissue. A Female Sexual Function Index quiestionnare also showed that the patients had normal sexual function after treatment, including desire and pain-free intercourse.

I think this is an incredible breakthrough because it a new option for patients who require vaginal reconstructive surgeries. It is also a great example of how regenerative medicine can be applied to a variety of human tissues and organs. Atala also led a team that replaced the bladders in 9 children with ones that were genetically engineered. This was the first time laboratory-grown organs were ever implanted in humans. Knowing that this procedure may be able to replace many different dysfunctional or diseased organs is very hopeful.  The success of this procedure can lead to great things in the future of the regenerative medicine.

Article Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140410194326.htm

Relative Article: http://www.ted.com/talks/anthony_atala_growing_organs_engineering_tissue

Laboratory-produced vaginas implanted in patients

A research team led by Anthony Atala, M.D. director of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center's Institute for Regenerative Medicine, reported in the Lancet of four teenage girls who received vaginal organs engineered with their own cells. The four girls were between the ages of 13 and 18 at the time of their surgeries, between June 2005 and October 2008. They were born with Mayer-Rokitansy-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare genetic disease in which the vagina or uterus are underdeveloped or absent.

The organ structures used were genetically engineered using muscle and epithelial cells, (epithelial cells are the cells that line the body's cavities). The cells were retrieved using a small biopsy of each patient's external genitals. The cells were then extracted from the tissue, expanded, and then placed on a biodegradable material. The material was then hand-sewn into a vagina shape.


(The scaffold being constructed into a vaginal shape)

Approximately 5 to 6 weeks after the biopsy, surgeons created canals in the patients' pelvis and sutured the scaffold to reproductive structures. Prior clinical research had shown that cell-seeded scaffolds implanted in the body form nerves and blood vessels and ultimately expand to form tissue. As the scaffolding material is being absorbed by the body, the cells are laying down materials to create a new permanent structure. The engineered structure is thus gradually replaced by a new, real organ.

Data gathered from annual check-up visits on the patients proved that even up to eight years later, the organs were still functioning normally. Additionally, the patients' responses to a Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire proved they had they displayed normal sexual functions.

This pilot study is the first to demonstrate that vaginal organs can be designed in a lab and used successfully in humans. Vaginal implants now may represent a new option for patients who require vaginal reconstruction surgeries.

Find the original article at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140410194326.htm