3 min read•july 24, 2024
Stem cells are the body's raw materials, capable of developing into various specialized cell types. They come in different forms, each with unique properties and potential applications in and tissue engineering.
Exploring stem cells reveals their diverse sources, from embryos to adult tissues, and their varying abilities to self-renew and differentiate. Understanding these cells' properties and ethical considerations is crucial for harnessing their potential in treating diseases and injuries.
(ESCs) derived from inner cell mass of blastocysts exhibit pluripotency differentiating into all three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) with high proliferation rate raising ethical concerns due to embryo destruction
(ASCs) found in various tissues of developed organisms display multipotency with limited differentiation potential specific to certain tissues (, neural tissue) proliferate slower than ESCs with fewer ethical concerns
(iPSCs) reprogrammed from adult somatic cells using specific transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) exhibit pluripotency similar to ESCs avoiding ethical issues and reducing immune rejection risk
Embryonic sources from blastocysts of in vitro fertilization treat neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) and spinal cord injuries
Adult tissue sources:
and tissue rich in hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells treat blood and immune system disorders (sickle cell anemia, lymphoma)
and contain multipotent stem cells used in fetal tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (heart valve reconstruction, neural )
Embryonic stem cell research sparks controversies due to embryo destruction raising debates on moral status of embryos and religious objections
Egg donation for research poses potential exploitation of women and health risks from ovarian stimulation
issues arise for proper embryo donation and future use of derived cell lines
Chimera research creating human-animal hybrids raises ethical concerns about humanized animals
Commercialization of stem cell therapies leads to unproven treatments and medical tourism requiring regulation of stem cell clinics
Equitable access to stem cell therapies faces challenges due to high costs and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare
Self-renewal allows division and maintenance of undifferentiated state through symmetric (two identical stem cells) or asymmetric (one stem cell, one differentiated cell) division maintaining stem cell population
Differentiation potential ranges from totipotency (zygote forming all cell types) to pluripotency (forming all three germ layers) to multipotency (forming multiple cell types within a lineage) to unipotency (forming only one cell type)
Plasticity enables transdifferentiation into other cell types facilitating reprogramming and tissue regeneration
Homing ability allows migration to sites of injury or inflammation enabling targeted
Paracrine effects through secretion of growth factors and cytokines promote tissue repair and regeneration
Immunomodulatory properties regulate immune responses potentially treating autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)