Cell Therapy - Cell Therapies Derived From Adult Stem Cells

Cell Therapies Derived From Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cells are multipotent cells committed to specific lineages. They can replenish dying cells and damaged tissues by multiplying through cell division and differentiating into a subset of cell types specific to its lineage. As such, they hold vast regenerative and therapeutic potential. Furthermore, their use in cell therapy is less controversial as they can be harvested from various sources in humans whereas the use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) often entails destruction of human embryos. Thus, recent efforts are focused on efficient expansion and differentiation of adult stem cells for clinical purposes. Notably, there have been significant advancements in clinical applications of neural, mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells. Further recent advances have highlighted a population of small (1-2 micron diameter) stem cells present in adult blood and tissue. Variously termed 'blastomere-like stem cells' and 'very-small embryonic stem cells', these novel entities express OCT4, nanog, SSEA-1, CEACAM and present an exciting new therapeutic avenue.

Read more about this topic:  Cell Therapy

Famous quotes containing the words cell, derived, adult, stem and/or cells:

    It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.
    Edmund Burke (1729–1797)

    Any balance we achieve between adult and parental identities, between children’s and our own needs, works only for a time—because, as one father says, “It’s a new ball game just about every week.” So we are always in the process of learning to be parents.
    Joan Sheingold Ditzion, Dennie, and Palmer Wolf. Ourselves and Our Children, by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, ch. 2 (1978)

    All things seem mention of themselves
    And the names which stem from them branch out to other referents.
    Hugely, spring exists again.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)

    Madness is locked beneath. It goes into tissues, is swallowed by the cells. The cells go mad. Cancer is their flag. Cancer is the growth of madness denied.
    Norman Mailer (b. 1923)