Previously unknown effect of vitamin A is identified – forskning.se

Previously unknown effect of vitamin A is identified – forskning.se

The signal molecule retinoic acid is a product of vitamin A that help to control how different types of tissue to form in the developing embryo. In a new study by Niels-Bjarne Woods laboratory, the effects of retinoic acid for the first time been studied in relation to how blood cells develop from human stem cells.

The researchers in laboratory experiments exposed the stem cells to specific signaling molecules thereby develop into blood-producing cells.

The researchers found that elevated levels of retinoic acid drastically reduced the amount of blood cells could be produced. A reduction of retinoic acid rather increased production of blood cells by 300 percent. Because of these results suggests Niels-Bjarne Woods and his colleagues a new explanation of how retinoic acid affects the embryonic development of blood.

– Although Vitamin A is needed for a normal pregnancy development, know we long ago that too much vitamin A can be harmful to an unborn baby at risk for birth defects and miscarriages. Pregnant therefore recommended limited consumption of food containing ample amounts of vitamin A in the form of retionoider, such as liver dishes.

Our results indicate that vitamin A in high doses has a negative impact on blood development. It means therefore that there is another reason for pregnant women to avoid excessive amounts of vitamin A during pregnancy, says Niels-Bjarne Woods.

Niels-Bjarne Woods research is basically about that find ways to artificially generate blood stem cells that can be used blood stem cell transplantation for patients with blood cancers and who do not have access to a suitable donor.

– The current research findings increase our understanding of the complexity of the development process of blood during fetal development. We hope that this, along with the new future discoveries may lead to the generation of blood stem cells in the laboratory, which in turn can also be used for the treatment of blood diseases, says Niels-Bjarne Woods.

FACTS
Publication: Retinoic Acid Regulates Hematopoietic Development from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells . Roger E. Rowan, Carolina Guibentif, Roksana Moraghebi, Patricia Chaves, Shobhit Saxena, Bradley Garcia, Niels-Bjarne Woods.

Stem Cell Reports, EPUB February 11 2014 http: // www .cell.com / stem-cell-reports / abstract / S2213-6711% 2815% 2900030-2