Des andro- et parthénogénotes humains (môles hydatiformes et tératomes ovariens) au cancer

Alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells: scientific solutions to an ethical dilemma

Stem cell researchers in the United States have faced a quagmire of uncertainty due to multiple factors: the ethical divide over the use of embryos for research, the lack of clarity in federal guidelines governing this research, the restrictive patent situation surrounding the generation of new human embryonic stem (HES) cell lines; and the limits on types of research eligible for federal funding. In this commentary, we describe how recent advances in derivation of hES cell-like lines may allow at least some of these uncertainties to be resolved. More importantly, we suggest that the derivation of hES cell-like lines by morally acceptable methods would not only avoid the corrosive effects of a protracted ethical debate over stem cell research, but would also allow U.S. researchers to access federal funds and compete on a more level international playing field.

The genetics of hydatidiform moles: new lights on an ancient disease

Hydatidiform mole (HM) is a human pregnancy with no embryo but cystic degeneration of chorionic villi. The common form of this condition occurs in 1 in every 1500 pregnancies in western societies and at a higher incidence in some geographic regions and populations. Recurrent moles account for 2% of all molar cases and a few of them occur in more than one family member. By studying a familial form of recurrent moles, a recessive maternal locus responsible for this condition was mapped to 19q13.4 and causative mutations identified. The defective protein, NALP7, is part of the CATERPILLAR protein family with roles in pathogen-induced inflammation and apoptosis. The exact role of NALP7 in the pathophysiology of molar pregnancies is unknown yet. NALP7 could have a role either in oogenesis or in the endometrium during trophoblast invasion and decidualization. In this review, we outlined recent advances in the field of HMs and reviewed the literature in the light of the new data.