Baltimore, MD -- Researchers at Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. reported results from studies confirming the existence and capability of human adult stem cells to form structural and connective tissues. These key findings, published in the April 2, 1999 issue of the journal Science, demonstrate that adult stem cells, referred to as mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs, are capable of forming multiple normal human tissues. In particular, human adult stem cells can undergo substantial expansion starting from a single stem cell, and the resulting expanded cell population can be maintained as stem cells in culture or induced selectively to form bone, cartilage or fat.
These adult stem cells are maintained throughout life and form normal tissue through a process similar to early tissue formation. Adult stem cells first undergo multiple divisions (proliferation), after which they proceed down a particular tissue development pathway (commitment), leading ultimately to the formation of specialized cells (differentiation) and the fabrication of unique structural components (maturation) characteristic of healthy, mature connective tissue. Adult stem cells are responsible for the normal replacement and regeneration of human connective tissues, including bone marrow stroma, bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, ligament and fat. The tissue formation process is called mesengenesis.
Osiris Therapeutics is engaged in the development and commercialization of
cellular therapeutics for the regeneration and functional restoration of damaged
or diseased tissue. Osiris has developed proprietary technology to isolate and
greatly expand adult stem cells for their use as cell therapeutic products for
the regeneration of tissues damaged through injury, aging or degenerative
disease. The Company is a pioneer in the development of this technology, owns
more than 50 issued and pending stem cell patents, and believes that it is the
first company to commercialize products
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Contact: Mark Pittenger, Ph.D.
mpittenger@osiristx.com
410-522-5005 x237
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.
1-Apr-1999