What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are the body's "master cells". They have the ability to divide (self replicate) and they also have the potential to develop into many different cell types that make up the human body, such as organ tissue, blood, and the immune system. Stem cells also serve as a form of internal repair system, dividing and differentiating to replace damaged or dead tissue.
Why are Stem Cells Important?
It is those two characteristics: the ability to multiply and the capacity to develop into other types of cells, that, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, propel stem cells to the forefront of today’s scientific community. Every day, cutting edge stem cell research furthers scientific understanding about how healthy cells develop and replace damaged cells.
In practice, this means that there is enormous potential for finding effective medical treatments and/or cures for a wide array of diseases.
Stem cells can be obtained from a number of sources, including embryos, afterbirth placenta, adult tissue, umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue and dental pulp. However, the stem cells that show the most promise for immediate applications with the lowest probability of rejection and complications are the ones that come from umbilical cord blood, dental pulp and adipose tissue.
Types of Stem Cells
Stem cells are classified by their ability to differentiate into different cell types:
- Totipotent – a stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into all cell types. Examples include the first few cells after the division of the zygote.
- Pluripotent – a stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into almost all cell types. Examples include embryonic stem cells.
- Multipotent – a stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into a closely related family of cells. Examples include HSC and MSC.
- Oligopotent – a stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into a few cells. Examples include myleoid stem cells.
- Unipotent – a stem cell that has the ability to differentiate into only one cell type. Example muscle stem cells.
Cellular Therapies
The concept behind cellular therapies is to use one’s own stem cells to re-populate specific cells that may be defective or dead.
There are several disorders that require the transplant of new cells to replace dead or damaged cells. In order to treat these disorders genetically matched stem cells are needed. That is the main reason why it is beneficial to bank one’s own stem cells, since they are an exact genetic match for the individual.
One of the key properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is their ability to hone in on the site of damage. Most stem cells can be administered systemically (intravenously) and they will migrate to the site of injury. Once there, the stem cells will receive chemical “communications” from the cells of the damaged tissue which will cause the stem cells to differentiate into the cells of the damaged tissue to repair said tissue.
Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative Medicine is an emerging field involving stem cell therapy.
Regenerative Medicine will employ methods to restore the function of damaged tissue and organs. The four main aspects in regenerative medicine are:
- Artificial Organs and Medical Devices
- Tissue engineering and biomaterials
- Cellular Therapies
- Clinical Translation
Stem Cell Pros and Cons
There is little doubt about the immediate and potential medical benefits of the various purported stem cell uses, including new therapies to treat neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, there are ethical concerns about some of the sources of these cells.
Cord blood, dental pulp and adipose stem cells, which are processed and stored by GeneCell International, are not embryonic stem cells and therefore are not controversial.
Finally, in cord blood, finding a genetic match from a public stem cell bank for individuals of any race, especially those that come from certain mixed ethnicities, such as Hispanics, African Americans, Asians and Native Americans can be quite challenging or next to impossible; therefore, having your own stem cells stored for future use has become increasingly important.
- Match for Donor/Child = 100%
- Match for Parent = 50%
- Match for Sibling = 25%
