干细胞与环境毒理学

Introduction and Application of Stem Cell in Environmental Toxicology

近年来,干细胞由于其在生物医药方面的巨大应用前景而成为科学研究的新热点。干细胞具有自我更新的能力,可以在体外进行培养并持续保持未分化状态,在一定条件下能够分化为机体的各种组织器官。因此干细胞正逐渐成为研究环境毒物对机体损伤的新工具,通过建立干细胞体外模型和体内组织干细胞研究相结合的方法可以进行环境毒物的早期危险度评测,寻找新的生物标志物,明确环境中的各种物质对机体的影响机制。本文综述报道各类干细胞及其在环境毒理学研究中的应用近况。

In recent years, stem cells have become the subject of increasing scientific interest because of their utility in numerous biomedical applications. Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves, and can be continuously cultured in an undifferentiated state, giving rise to more specialized cells of the human body. Therefore, stem cell is an important new tool in the area of environmental toxicology. Through building stem cell-based models in vitro and studying them in tissues, we can test chemicals and predict its potential toxicity, seek new biomarkers. This paper provides an overview of stem cell and the applications of this technology in environmental toxicology.