STEM CELLS - SCI &
TECH
News: The untapped potential of stem
cells in menstrual blood
What's in the news?
●
Roughly 20 years ago, a biologist named Caroline Gargett went in search of some
remarkable cells in tissue that had been removed during hysterectomy surgeries. The cells came from the endometrium, which
lines the inside of the uterus.
Key takeaways:
●
Dr. Gargett strongly suspected that the cells were
adult stem cells — rare, self-renewing cells, some of which can give rise to
many different types of tissues.
●
She and other researchers had long hypothesised
that the endometrium contained stem cells, given its remarkable capacity to
regrow itself each month.
●
The tissue, which provides a site for an embryo to
implant during pregnancy and is shed during menstruation, undergoes roughly 400
rounds of shedding and regrowth.
Stem Cell Therapy:
●
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine designed to repair damaged cells within the
body by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system.
●
This phenomenon makes stem cell therapy a viable
treatment option for various medical conditions.
●
It can be used to treat a variety of medical
conditions, such as autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurological disorders.
Applications of Stem
Cell Therapy:
1. Regenerative
Medicine:
●
Repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs,
such as heart muscle, cartilage, or nerve cells.
2. Treatment of Chronic
Diseases:
●
Exploring potential treatments for conditions like
diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal cord injuries.
3. Immune Disorders:
●
Modifying or enhancing the immune system to fight
cancer or autoimmune diseases.
4. Orthopedics:
●
Treating orthopedic injuries and conditions like
osteoarthritis.
5. Cosmetic Procedures:
●
Using stem cells for procedures like facial
rejuvenation.
Go back to basics:
Stem Cells:
●
Stem cells are cells
from which all other cells, with their respective specialised functions, are
generated.
●
The human body, under certain conditions, “divides” stem cells to either create
new stem cells or cells with specific functions, such as blood cells, brain
cells, bone cells, muscle cells, etc.
Sources of Stem Cells:
1. Embryonic Stem Cells
(ESCs):
●
These are derived from early-stage embryos and have
the potential to become any cell type in the body.
●
However, their use is ethically controversial and
strictly regulated in many countries.
2. Adult Stem Cells:
●
These are found in specific tissues and organs
throughout the body and play a role in tissue maintenance and repair.
●
Example - It includes hematopoietic stem cells
(found in bone marrow) and mesenchymal stem cells (found in various tissues
like bone, fat, and dental pulp).
3. Induced Pluripotent
Stem Cells (iPSCs):
●
These are adult cells that have been reprogrammed
to behave like embryonic stem cells.
●
They can be generated from a patient’s own cells,
reducing the risk of rejection.