Scientists convert human skin cells into white blood cells

US researchers have been able to turn human skin cells into transplantable white blood cells for the first time ever, opening the door for new therapeutic approaches.

A team from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have accomplished this through a new method called indirect lineage conversion, which involves reverting cells to a certain point before using a genetic factor called miRNA125b to turn them into white blood cells.

Unlike induced pluripotent stem techniques, which can take around two months, this new method takes only two weeks to complete. Other benefits include the fact it does not produce tumours and engrafts well.

The scientists are now conducting toxicology studies and cell transplantation proof-of-concept studies in advance of potential preclinical and clinical studies.

Senior author Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies said: "The process is quick and safe in mice. It circumvents long-standing obstacles that have plagued the reprogramming of human cells for therapeutic and regenerative purposes."

Also known as leukocytes, white blood cells play a crucial role in immune system functions, meaning they are extremely therapeutically important.