A team of SAHMRI scientists has discovered a completely new type of cell which has the potential to enhance the future of tissue repair and generation.

Dr Sanuri Liyange from the research team says the cells, dubbed ‘EndoMac progenitors’, possess the unique ability to transform into two specific cell types of cells: endothelial cells that form blood vessels, and macrophages that are immune cells responsible for tissue repair and defence.

“These cells have an important job, to help grow blood vessels when the body calls for it,” Dr Liyanage said.

“They are activated by injury or poor blood flow, at which point they rapidly expand to aid in healing.”

Cells with similar functions have been theorised to exist for more than a century however, until now, had never been found. The were discovered in the outer layer of aortas in adult mice.

This discovery, led by Professor Peter Psaltis, was nine years in the making. The findings have been published in Nature Communications.

Ongoing research suggests the EndoMac progenitors could be used to boost healing in conditions like diabetes, where the body struggles to repair itself properly. Crucially, these cells don’t express typical “self” markers, meaning they could be ideal candidates for stem cell transplantation as they’re much less likely to be attacked by the recipient's immune system.

Dr Liyange and colleagues have isolated the cells from mice, grown them and observed them forming colonies. These colonies have been tested in diabetic mouse models, showing remarkable improvements in wounds that normally wouldn’t heal.

“When we transplanted these progenitors into diabetic wounds, we saw a dramatic improvement in healing within days," she said.

“In theory, this could become a game-changer for patients suffering from chronic wounds.”

The research team is currently working on similar studies involving skin and muscle cells, with findings expected to be delivered in the next 12 months. They’re also searching for the cells in human tissue with promising indications.

“We’re excited to continue exploring the potential of these cells. It’s early days, but the implications could be massive,” Dr Liyanage said.

“This represents a significant advancement in our understanding of blood vessel regeneration and holds promise for creating more effective treatments that support the body’s capacity to heal and maintain function over time.”

This discovery was the result of a multidisciplinary collaboration between researchers from SAHMRI, the University of Adelaide, the Baker Institute and La Trobe University.