Mouse stem cells treat sheep hearts

French scientists have used mouse stem cells to repair sheep hearts in what's being hailed as a big step forward for embryonic stem cell research.

The scientists, from the National Center for Scientific Research in Montpellier, France and the European Hospital Georges Pompidou in Paris, transplanted the mouse cells into nine sheep that suffered a heart attack.

The cells were implanted two weeks after the attack. One month later, new heart cells were apparent and the sheep had healthier hearts than a control group that didn't get the transplant

According to a report by Reuters, an important aspect of the work is that the cells used in the study weren't completely undifferentiated but, rather, were coaxed into becoming heart cells before transplantation.

Another important aspect is that there were no signs of rejection.


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