What type of stem cells can be used in regenerative medicine?
Two recent basic and clinical studies on embryonic and adult stem cells resulted in a breakthrough in regenerative therapy. These cells have the potential to treat a variety of degenerative diseases. Cell therapies can treat age-related functional defects, hematopoietic and immune system disorders, heart failures, chronic liver injuries, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, arthritis and muscular, skin, lung, eye, and digestive disorders, as well as aggressive and regressive cancers. This guide is on the various types of stem cells used in regenerative medicine.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine gained popularity in the 1990s when tissue engineering was used for stem cell research and procedures such as skin grafting.
Instead of treating symptoms with medications and procedures, regenerative medicine aims to replace or reboot tissues or organs damaged by disease, injury, aging, or other factors.
Read also: What are Stem cells?
Stem cells in regenerative medicine:
There are several types of stem cells that are being researched and used in regenerative medicine. These include:
Embryonic stem cells: These are cells that are derived from a fertilized egg and have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body. They are pluripotent, meaning they can give rise to any cell type in the body except for those needed to form a placenta.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): These cells have been reprogrammed from adult cells (such as skin cells) to behave like embryonic stem cells. They have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body and are considered to be pluripotent.
Mesenchymal stem cells: These are cells that are found in various tissues, including bone marrow and fat tissue. They can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells.
Hematopoietic stem cells: These are cells that are found in the bone marrow and give rise to all blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Cord blood stem cells: These are cells that are found in the blood of the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby is born. They can differentiate into various types of blood cells.
Amniotic stem cells: These are cells that are found in the amniotic fluid and placenta during pregnancy. They can differentiate into various types of cells, including muscle, bone, and nerve cells.
Stem cells have the potential to be used in a variety of regenerative medicine therapies, including tissue repair, organ regeneration, and the treatment of various diseases and disorders. However, more research is needed to fully understand stem cells’ potential and determine their safety and effectiveness in these applications.
Read from the document: Clinical application of mesenchymal stem cell in regenerative medicine a narrative review
