Israeli study finds antibiotics can reverse salmonella damage to stem cells in mice

Israeli researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have achieved a significant breakthrough, demonstrating that antibiotics can fully reverse damage to stem cells caused by chronic salmonella infection in mice. This discovery holds considerable promise for individuals awaiting blood transplants and could lead to advancements in bone marrow transplant therapies.

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The experiment gives hope to people waiting for blood transplants and waiting for donors to get better.

Utilizing a sophisticated mouse model that accurately replicates the chronic illness's effects in humans, the scientists observed that mice not only recovered from the infection after antibiotic treatment but also showed a return of their stem cells to healthy levels. Professor Roi Gazit, who led the stem cell laboratory, expressed optimism about the findings, stating, "The experiment gives hope to people waiting for blood transplants and waiting for donors to get better."

The research, published in Cell Reports, provides a foundation for further investigation. "Now that we have the model," Gazit explained, "we can gain more knowledge, and maybe we can improve bone marrow transplant as a whole." This development is particularly significant given the critical role of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in producing all blood and immune cells. Normally, HSCs remain dormant to preserve their potency, but infections trigger them into a state of constant division to produce inflammatory white blood cells, leading to exhaustion and a reduced ability for transplantation.

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Now that we have the model, we can gain more knowledge, and maybe we can improve bone marrow transplant as a whole.

Studying these diseased stem cells has been challenging due to their dynamic nature. However, Gazit's team focused on adult stem cells infected by salmonella, a common foodborne bacterium. The findings suggest a potential new avenue for treating conditions that compromise stem cell function, offering a glimmer of hope for improved patient outcomes in the future.

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The findings of the study... are “very optimistic.”