Medistem Inc. (MEDS.OB, MEDS.PK) Wednesday disclosed results of its collaboration with Wei-Ping Min's laboratory from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, saying that a molecule typically associated with inflammation, called toll like receptor or TLR-4 causes direct killing of heart cells and may lead to development of heart failure in patients with diabetes.
Using a technique called short interfering RNA or siRNA, the investigators were able to artificially reduce levels of TLR-4. This prevented death of heart cells in diabetic mice.
Inflammation associated with the diabetic state is believed to be the cause of increased TLR-4. Chemicals produced by stem cells that suppress inflammation are known to also reduce levels of TLR-4.
Wei-ping Min, of the University of Western Ontario, commented, "Medistem's Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC) stem cell product possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity. The finding that TLR-4 acts as a bridge between inflammation and heart damage suggests one possible molecular pathway by which the Endometrial Regenerative Cells may be functioning."
Medistem filed an IND with the FDA for treatment of critical limb ischemia using its ERC product. Currently the company is in the process of addressing questions raised by the FDA and anticipates initiating a trial at Indiana University in the first quarter of 2011.
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