Leprosy could renew vital organ - 25th September 2023

The ancient disease leprosy could provide the answer to how we rebuild our bodies. Research at the University of Edinburgh has shown that leprosy bacteria can cause the liver to nearly double its original size. The disease does this without damaging the liver in the process.

Researchers studied this effect in armadillo livers. They noticed that bacteria reprogrammed liver cells to divide and reproduce. This increased the area where they could live and multiply. DNA analysis confirmed that the new liver growth was healthy. The new cells were also genetically younger than the original cells.

Until the last century, people with leprosy weren’t welcome in society and fear of the illness continues today. Now, it’s not as dangerous for the 250,000 people who get the disease each year because it can be cured with antibiotics. However, without treatment, patients could even lose their fingers and toes.

Scientists have already regrown organs by making stem cells from adult cells. However, this brought increased risks of cancer. In the new tests, the livers remained perfectly healthy. Professor Aruna Rambukkana from Edinburgh University stated that "There is no cell therapy that can do that".

Although this is positive news, tests in humans may produce extremely different results. Leprosy continues to seriously affect people’s lives. Therefore, any treatment will require a lot more development, said Professor Darious Widera from the University of Reading.

Professor Rambukkana remains positive. He’s focused on developing medicines of the future which repair and rebuild human organs.