It’s well documented that vitamin B12, or cobalamin, helps red blood cells form and facilitates DNA synthesis that protects genetic mutations in our cells. It is also crucial in the development and ongoing function of our brain and nerve cells. Now, scientists have found that this micronutrient also plays a key role in cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration.IRB Barcelona researchers discovered this new set of biological tricks while observing how the process of cellular reprogramming in mice required an enormous amount of vitamin B12.The team then confirmed their findings in another mouse model, this time on animals with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease triggered by a faulty immune response that leads to damage to the large intestine lining.

有充分证据表明，维生素B12或钴胺素有助于红细胞形成并促进DNA合成，从而保护细胞中的基因突变。它对我们大脑和神经细胞的发育和持续功能也至关重要。现在，科学家们发现这种微量营养素在细胞重编程和组织再生中也起着关键作用。IRB巴塞罗那研究人员发现了这套新的生物学技巧，同时观察小鼠细胞重编程过程如何需要大量的维生素B12。然后研究小组在另一个小鼠模型中证实了他们的发现，这次是关于溃疡性结肠炎动物，由错误的免疫反应引发的慢性炎症性肠病，导致大肠衬里受损。

The mice given vitamin B12 supplements saw the intestinal cells undergo a similar process to cellular reprogramming as they began to repair the stomach lining.This also suggests that vitamin B12 may help patients with the flare-ups caused by intestinal bowel disease.'Our research uncovers a critical role of vitamin B12 in cellular reprogramming and tissue repair,” said Manuel Serrano from IRB Barcelona.

给予维生素B12补充剂的小鼠在开始修复胃壁时看到肠细胞经历与细胞重编程相似的过程。这也表明维生素B12可以帮助患者出现由肠道疾病引起的突然发作我们的研究揭示了维生素B12在细胞重编程和组织修复中的关键作用，“IRB巴塞罗那的Manuel Serrano说。

“These findings hold promise for regenerative medicine, with the potential to benefit patients through an improved nutrition.”The researchers focused on cellular reprogramming, which is a process in which cells lose their specific identity and acquire “embryonic stem pluripotency.” Essentially, this means that these cells can be encouraged to develop into specific kind of cells depending on transcription factors involved.Before they’re reassigned a new identity, however, there’s an intermediate state that is of particular interest to scientists, as it’s at this point where the cells acquire plasticity .

“这些发现为再生医学带来了希望，并有可能通过改善营养使患者受益。”研究人员专注于细胞重编程，该过程是细胞失去特定身份并获得“胚胎干多能性”的过程，这意味着可以鼓励这些细胞根据所涉及的转录因子发育成特定种类的细胞。然而，在他们重新分配新身份之前，有一个科学家特别感兴趣的中间状态，因为正是在这个时候细胞获得可塑性。