In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists in Australia have identified a new type of cell that could revolutionize our understanding of how the body heals. After nearly a century of speculation, researchers have found what they’ve named EndoMac progenitor cells a unique cell type located in the aorta of adult mice that plays a crucial role in blood vessel growth and tissue repair.
The discovery which took nine years to uncover, fills a long-standing gap in medical science’s knowledge of how new macrophages are generated in the adult mammal body. Macrophages, key immune cells, are crucial for wound healing and pathogen defense. Scientists had long suspected that certain stem cells in the body could continue producing new macrophages after birth, but the origin of these cells remained elusive until now.
How the Cells Work Led by Sanuri Liyanage of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the research team found that EndoMac progenitor cells expand in response to injury or poor blood flow, rapidly promoting healing. The cells were isolated from mice, cultured in the lab, and injected into diabetic mouse models, where they dramatically improved wound healing.
“These cells have an important job: to help grow blood vessels when the body calls for it,” Liyanage explains. “They are activated by injury or poor blood flow and aid in the healing process.”
In laboratory experiments, the team observed that EndoMac progenitor cells could transform into macrophages and endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, after being transplanted into the bloodstream. These stem cells showed particular promise in repairing wounds where blood circulation had been compromised, mimicking diabetic wounds in human patients.
For many years, scientists believed that bone marrow-derived stem cells were responsible for producing new macrophages in adults. However, recent evidence suggests that these bone marrow cells are limited to only a few tissues. The new study indicates that macrophage progenitors, like EndoMac cells, are actually seeded in the aorta during early development, long before birth. As the organism ages, these progenitors continue to introduce new macrophages into tissue, playing a vital role in healing.
One of the unique characteristics of EndoMac progenitors is their ability to be transplanted without triggering an immune response. Since they lack “name tags” that typically mark foreign cells, the immune system does not attack them, making them an ideal candidate for cell-based therapies.
Potential for Human Health
The team is now investigating whether similar cells exist in the human aorta. While these findings are still pending publication, initial results are encouraging. If such cells can be harnessed in humans, it could represent a major breakthrough in treating chronic wounds, particularly in patients with diabetes or circulatory issues.
“In theory, this could become a game-changer for patients suffering from chronic wounds,” says Liyanage. “It’s early days, but the implications could be massive.”
As the research progresses, this discovery opens the door to new treatments that may accelerate healing in patients with conditions that impair normal recovery processes, offering hope to millions worldwide.