In January 2012, Circulation, a print journal of the American Heart Association, featured original research in molecular cardiology performed on the Rambam campus and aimed at treating cardiovascular diseases that hinder blood supply to the heart, limbs and other organs.

A research laboratory illustration Rambam Health Care Campus

In the laboratory of Prof. Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, MD DSc, head author Ayelet Dar, PhD, took human pluripotent stem cells (i.e., with the potential for differentiating [specializing] into all cells or membranes in the body) from two sources -- fertilized eggs donated for research, and mature cells reprogrammed via genetic manipulation to revert to pluripotent stem cells, which, although artificially derived, behave much like embryonic stem cells.

 The scientists used the cells to create pericytes, which play a crucial role in the formation and functioning of blood vessels. When the pericytes were injected into the ischemia-damaged leg muscles of mice, they created new blood vessels and muscles and thereby rehabilitated the leg.

A research laboratory illustration Rambam Health Care Campus

The experiment simulated therapy potentially available to humans suffering from damaged tissues or organs (e.g., the heart, limbs, or kidneys) due to disturbances to the blood oxygen supply caused by cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

In related news, the November 2011 online version of the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published the results of an inquiry performed at Rambam into the genetic mechanism underlying Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT). The disease’s daunting 20-syllable name refers to a highly lethal form of inherited arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that occurs during physical activity or stress and can result in sudden death at a young age.

In the laboratory of Prof. Ofer Binah, PhD, in collaboration with Prof. Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor and Dr. Avraham Lorber, Director of the Department of Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Heart Disease in Adults, head author Atara Novak, PhD, and colleagues took skin biopsies of patients with congenital heart arrhythmias and genetically reprogrammed the skin cells; from the induced pluripotent stem cells thus created, the team developed pulsing heart cells carrying the genetic mutation for CPVT.

According to the team, their discovery will enable a profound understanding at the cellular level of the cause of CPVT, with implications for the development of new anti-arrhythmia drugs tailored to individual patients.

Both investigative teams performed their work at the Sohnis and Forman Families Stem Cell Center at the Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, the Technion, headed by internationally recognized stem cell pioneer Prof. Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor MD DSc, who also directs Rambam Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.