Rare

Primitive Defined

cells

by their capacity to self renew as well as differentiate into one or more mature cell types.

A embryonic stem cells

B adult stem cells

 Derived

from the inner cell mass Pluripotent Can develop into more than 200 different cells Differentiate into cells of the 3 germ cell layers Because of their capacity of unlimited expansion and pluripotency useful in regenerative medicine

They

produce cells specific to the tissue in which they are found They are relatively unspecialized However they are predetermined to give rise to specific cell types when they differentiate Eg: haematopoietic, bone marrow, neural

Self

renewal - the ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining the undifferentiated state. the capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types.

Potency

 Totipotent

stem cells -cells produced by the first few divisions of the cell . So can form any cell of the embryo as well as the placenta.

 Pluripotent

these cells differentiate into cells derived from the three germ cell layers. embryonic stem cell, embryonic germ cell and embryonic carcinoma cells.

Eg:

 Multipotent

these cells can produce cells of a closely related family of cells.

haematopoeitic stem cells, neural and mesenchymal stem cells

Eg:

 Unipotent

these cells only produce one cell type., but have the property of self renewal which distinguishes them from the non stem cells.

 Stem

cell research: 1. It provides an ideal model for the study of development of organisms 2. It replaces damaged cells of the body 3. It also aids in drug discovery

 Regenerative

medicine

and Therapeutic issues

 The

potential to form 200 or more cells. Hence used in regenerative medicine in cases like cardiac failure, Parkinsons disease, diabetes. These cells are being coaxed to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, neural stem cells, insulin producing cell and even germ cells.

 Potential

to form teratomas after transplantation Hence to produce pure differentiated cells. Risk of transfer of xenopathogens

Rejection

Can be overcome by generating homozygous ES cell banks, and the production of patient specific ES cell via Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer.

The

best studied stem cells are the haematopoietic and the male germ cells. Some of the prominent diseases treated include leukemia, anaemia, thallesemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Allogenic BMT is another well known procedure done.

 Haematopoietic

stem cell: characterized by the presence of CD 34 - Seen in the umbilical cord and fetal liver

- Have a higher cloning efficiency and generates more progenitors than adult bone marrow. - They have a huge competitive engraftment advantage relative to the adult bone marrow.

 Haematopoietic

stem cells used in patients whose haematopoietic system has to be replaced They are used in 1.Providing a functional immune system in a person with immune disorders. 2.Replacing a defective blood system with a functional one who has non malignant genetic disorder like sickle cell anaemia and thallasemia. 3.Restoring the haematopoietic system in cancer patients after treatment.


1. 2. 3.

In the field of fetal medicine: Non invasive prenatal diagnosis Intrauterine stem cell transplantation Gene therapy

 Derived

from bone marrow in adults and umbilical cord blood Option given to the parents regarding stem cell banking during antenatal visits 25% chance that sibling also can have a perfect match

 Blood

is collected from umb cord immediately after delivery about 100-150cc

number of cells in 1 ml is 40,000

The

They

are stored in blood banks at -196deg celsius in a state of suspended animation and restart their activity on thawing

1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7.
8.

High rate of engraftment More tolerant to tissue matches Less severe GVHD Rarely contaminated with latent virus Easy to collect, not painful Superior proliferative capacity Unlimited supply Lower cost

 Acute

leukemias Chronic leukemias Myelodysplastic syndromes Marrow failure Myeloproliferative disorders Lymphoproliferative disorders

Phagocyte

disorders Inherited disorders Inherited platelet abnormalities Inherited metabolic disorders

Cardiac

disease Diabetes Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Parkinsons disease Spinal cord injury Stroke

 Alzheimers
Lupus Rheumatoid

Disease
arthritis

 Research

is going on regarding the use of stem cells for male infertility in mouse However the progeny has severe abnormalities

1. 2.

Also recent research suggests that oocyte can be generated from stem cells originating from Bone marrow- haematopoietic stem cells Ovarian surface cells

Are

we trying to play GOD? Is embryo a person? Will stem cell research encourage embryo destruction and abortions?

 We

the nurses are aimed to encourage development of sound research and therapy, prevent any misuse of human embryos and fetuses and protect patients from fraudulent treatments in the name of stem cell research.