What Are Stem Cells?
Mesenchymal Stem Cells or MSCs are multi-potent mesenchymal stromal cells, a heterogeneous population of cells that proliferate cell culture system as plastic-adherent cells, have fibroblast-like morphology, form colonies in vitro and can differentiate into bone, cartilage and fat cells. These properties are what attracted the attention of the scientific community for a while now. Most commonly practiced stem cell therapy involves the transplantation of autologous or allogeneic stem cells into patients, either through local delivery or systemic infusion. It is to address a broad spectrum of indications, for example, cardiovascular repair, treatment of lung fibrosis, spinal cord injury and bone and cartilage repair, etc.
Another striking feature of MSCs are when infused intravenously; they are capable of specific migration to a site of injury, which demonstrates in the case of bone fracture, myocardial infarction, and ischaemic cerebral injury. Also, intra-articular injection of MSCs to the knee joint following traumatic injury, have shown specific engraftment and repair of damaged meniscus and cartilage, etc.
Current conventional treatments mostly are symptomatic, rather than regenerative. Whereas, MSCs offer regeneration of the damaged tissue, which is the ultimate rehabilitation for degenerative diseases.
Another striking feature of MSCs are when infused intravenously; they are capable of specific migration to a site of injury, which demonstrates in the case of bone fracture, myocardial infarction, and ischaemic cerebral injury. Also, intra-articular injection of MSCs to the knee joint following traumatic injury, have shown specific engraftment and repair of damaged meniscus and cartilage, etc.
Current conventional treatments mostly are symptomatic, rather than regenerative. Whereas, MSCs offer regeneration of the damaged tissue, which is the ultimate rehabilitation for degenerative diseases.
Where Are They Found?
MSCs resides in different organs or tissues of the human body. The younger the person is, the higher the number of available stem cells are in the body. However, in adults, MSCs are in abundance in bone marrow and fat tissue. In regenerative medicine, other than bone marrow and adipose tissue, MSCs are also isolated from embryos, peripheral blood, umbilical cord, and cord blood, lungs, heart, etc. |
If We Have Stem Cells in Our Body, Why Can't
We Use Them Naturally?
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?
Therapeutic science has been all about treating a disease, based on symptoms. However, the damage or degeneration of the related organ or tissue is not regenerated. Hence, in this era of science and technology, scientists have been focusing on the regeneration of the damaged tissue or organs, and that is where stem cells play an essential role. In regenerative medicine, these stem cells are injected into a patient’s body to differentiate into specific tissue to repair or replace damaged tissue. Extensive research has been conducted in the last few decades to investigate the use of stem cells in the treatment of diseases and to advance knowledge on how cells develop and repair itself.
Stem cells have this ability to divide continuously and differentiate into different types of cells and tissues. Stem cells are unique, compared to other cells, mostly because 1) they are unspecialised cells, with the capacity of renewing themselves through continuous cell division, and 2) they can be induced to differentiate into specialised tissues or organs, with specialised functions. These very properties offer the potentials to treat degenerative diseases. Most abundantly researched and utilised stem cell in regenerative medicine is Mesenchymal Stem Cells, where these stromal cells are isolated from different parts of the human body.
Stem cells have this ability to divide continuously and differentiate into different types of cells and tissues. Stem cells are unique, compared to other cells, mostly because 1) they are unspecialised cells, with the capacity of renewing themselves through continuous cell division, and 2) they can be induced to differentiate into specialised tissues or organs, with specialised functions. These very properties offer the potentials to treat degenerative diseases. Most abundantly researched and utilised stem cell in regenerative medicine is Mesenchymal Stem Cells, where these stromal cells are isolated from different parts of the human body.
Potential Uses of Stem Cells
MSC has been in use to treat many degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular repair, treatment of lung fibrosis, spinal cord injury, bone and cartilage repair, muscular dystrophy, craniotomy defect, meniscus, etc. Other application of MSC includes osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, kidney disorder, liver Cirrhosis, etc. The UC-MSC provided by Yakin Medic is intended for mostly general wellness. It is proven that intravenously infused MSCs are capable of migrating to the site of injury. Hence it is expected that the infused cells will be distributed to the injured tissue and exert a regenerative effect. |