The Hyderabad based Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology (CCMB) has started the process of standardization and enrichment of epithelial cell adhesion molecule positive (EpCAM+) cells obtained from liver of human foetus.

According to CCMB officials, the process is being done with the foetus in the second trimester by using magnetic cell sorting (MACS) under the sterile GMP conditions. Foetuses at 12-18 gestation were obtained from the Government Maternity Hospital and the cells were processed by standard protocols to get single cell suspension.

The officials said "These cells are labelled with EpCAM antibodies that have been tagged to magnetic beets and cells have been sorted on a magnetic column. A significant enrichment from less than 5 per cent to more than 30 per cent was observed during the procedure," the officials revealed.

Sorted cells were then injected in skid mouse models and also human patients for studying improvement in the liver functions. "The project is under progress for final evaluations for results," the officials said.

Earlier, the scientists under the leadership of Dr Gopal Pande characterised the trans-differentiation and regenerative potential of bone marrow derived from murine 'side population' (SP) cells. "During this we have completed the proteomic characterisation of mouse and rat SP cell population. The comparative analysis of the total bone marrow (TTM) and SP cells was done using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) followed MLD1-TOF/TOF or MS/M/s sequence analysis," the officials explained.

The analysis of the mouse cells showed 233 spots seen in TBM and 112 spot in SP cells. All spot in SP cells were also seen in TBM cells indicating that among the total proteins of TBM cells approximately 50 per cent were also present in the proteome of SP cells. A comparison of the 112 common proteins express in SP and TBM cells showed that 29 proteins were over express and 17 under expressed in SP cells. As many 44 proteins of total 150 spots process from the TBM gels could be identified with confirmed identities.

The over expression of proteins such as aldhyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) Enolase 1 RHO GDP dissociation inhibitor (GD) indicate that SP cells are able to live in stressed hypoxic conditions better than other bone marrow cells, it was concluded.