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The mysterious power of cell fusion: Why was Schwann's discovery in 1839 so shocking?
Cell fusion is an important process in biology in which several monocyte cells combine to form a multinucleated cell, called a multinucleated cell. This process truly demonstrates the mystery of cell evolution during the differentiation of myoblasts, osteoclasts, and trophoblast cells, and also occurs during the stages of embryonic development and morphogenesis. In 1839, German biologist Theodor Schwann first proposed the theory that all living organisms are composed of cells in his work, and noticed that the cell walls and cavities of some cells will fuse, forming cell fusion. concepts paved the way.
The observation that cell walls and cavities fuse with each other in certain cells provides the first clues to cell fusion.
Although Schwann's discovery shocked the scientific community, actual cell fusion experiments did not begin to be consciously performed until the 1960s. Biologists at the time were the first to create the phenomenon of fused cells by combining isolated mouse cells and using the Sendai virus to induce fusion of cell membranes. These fused hybrid cells contained a single nucleus composed of the chromosomes of both fusion partners, laying the foundation for our understanding of cell fusion today. These hybrid cells have inspired further exploration of how different types of cytoplasm affect different cell nuclei.
Types of cell fusion
Based on the source of cells, cell fusion can be divided into homologous cell fusion and heterologous cell fusion. The former refers to the fusion between cells of the same type, such as the fusion between bone marrow-derived cells and organ tissues, while the latter refers to the fusion between different types of cells. The result of each fusion is a new type of cellular structure, highlighting the diversity and potential of cellular functions.
The fusion of homologous cells will produce a fused nucleus, while the fusion of heterologous cells may form a cellular structure with single or multiple nuclei.
Methods of cell fusion
A variety of methods are used to achieve cell fusion in modern biology, including electric field promotion method, polyvinyl alcohol method and Sendai virus induction method. Electric field fusion uses high-frequency AC electric fields to bring cells into contact, and then applies pulse voltage to fuse the cell membranes. The polyvinyl alcohol method uses polyvinyl alcohol as a dehydrating agent to promote contact and fusion between cells. Although this method is simple, it is relatively toxic and often leads to uncontrollable fusion between cells, forming multinucleated giant cells.
The potential of cell fusion in therapy
With the scarcity of donated organs, cell fusion has been widely explored by biologists as one of the treatments. Research indicates that cell fusion may trigger a restorative effect in the regeneration of damaged tissue. However, to realize this application, biologists still face multiple challenges, including how to select the best cells, develop the best cell introduction methods, and increase the incidence of cell fusion.
Cell fusion in plant cells
Compared to animal and plant cells, the frequency of cell fusion in plant cells is lower, mainly due to the presence of plant cell walls. In some cases, before plant cells fuse, their cell walls thin and even form bridges, making it easier for the cells to fuse. In addition, gamete fusion in plants is also a form of cell fusion.
Cell fusion and cancer progression
In recent years, cell fusion has attracted much attention in cancer research because the fusion of different types of cells may produce unstable polyploid cells with different gene combinations, which may lead to cell pathology. With the fusion of cancer cells and bone marrow cells, new cancerous cells may acquire the characteristics of both, increasing their ability to metastasize. This makes cell fusion an important topic in studying cancer progression.
Genetic instability in polyploid cells may contribute to the development of cancer, revealing the importance of cell fusion in tumor biology.
Conclusion
Through cell fusion, we see unlimited possibilities in the field of biology, from basic research to clinical applications, showing the profound potential of cell fusion. As research progresses, this technology may revolutionize our understanding of regenerative medicine and cancer treatment. Facing the future, what impact do you think the development of cell fusion will have on our health and medical treatment?
