Stem cells are pluripotent cells which can multiply without limit to replenish other cells. Often, they function as a repair system for the body and are capable of maturing into specialised cells such as muscle, blood and brain cells.
THERE ARE 2 MAIN TYPES OF STEM CELLS:
1. Adult Stem Cells
The main forms of adult stem cells that are of clinical interests are:
Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
Haematopoietic stem cells are harvested from cord blood and bone marrow, while Mesenchymal stem cells are harvested from bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue.
Cord blood can only be harvested at birth. For adults, bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue are good sources and remain the most practical solution for harvesting stem cells.
Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) Stem Cells (HSCs)
- Regenerate organ tissue, blood, and immune system
- Differentiate into red and white blood cells and platelets
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
- Regenerate structural and connective tissues
- Differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, heart, liver, muscle and nerve tissues
- Have immunomodulatory functions that can “correct” an abnormal immune response
HSCs may function to regenerate organ tissue, blood and the immune system. They can differentiate into red and white blood cells and platelets, and are an effective form of stem cells for mass blood conditions like leukaemia and lymphoma.
MSCs, on the other hand, may function to generate structural and connective tissues through the cell differentiation into bone, cartilage, fat, heart, liver, muscle and nerve tissues. MSCs are found to have immunomodulatory functions that, in future, may be used to “correct” an abnormal immune response and treat illnesses like Parkinson’s disease.
2. Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic Stem Cells are derived from embryos. Most embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos that develop from eggs that have been fertilised in vitro (in an in vitro fertilisation clinic) and then donated for research purposes with informed consent of the donors.
However, harvesting stem cells from embryos remain a highly controversial method as it involves the creation and destruction of human embryos.
