What are stem cells?

Stemcells are a group of cells that exhibit a number of properties that differentiate them from other cells in the body - they can undergo an unlimited number of divisions and can differentiate into cells of other types.

Stem cell division

Stem cells are divided according to their ability to differentiate. According to the current division, a distinction is made between cells:

• totipotent, i.e. those that can differentiate into cells of any type,
• pluripotent - can differentiate into all cells of the body except placental cells,
• mulitpotent - can differentiate into different cell types having similar properties,
• unipotent cells - differentiate into only one cell type.

The second division divides cells into:

• embryonic stem cells known as ECS. They are isolated from the cells of the embryo and may show totipotentiality or pluripotentiality,
• somatic stem cells - found in the tissues of mature organisms

Where stem cells are obtained from

Stem cells can be obtained from, among other sources, bone marrow, which has been recognised as a source of cells for nearly 40 years. Stromal stem cells, haematopoietic progenitor cells, among others, are obtained from the bone marrow. Another source is peripheral blood, which has become the main source of HCS cells used for transplantation purposes. The most common source of stem cells is umbilical cord blood.

photo: panthermedia

Potential applications of stem cells

Developments in regenerative medicine are creating opportunities for the widespread use of stem cells. Much attention is being paid to the use of stem cells in the treatment of diseases of the heart muscle - the first clinical trials of the use of stem cells in the treatment of the heart muscle date back several years. Stem cell therapies (mainly mesenchymal) for the regeneration of damaged myocardium are in the clinical trial phase. The use of stem cells is also being explored in the process of healing and wound healing. Much attention is being paid to the treatment options for spinal cord injuries. More than 15 million people worldwide suffer spinal cord injuries every year, so the possibility of using stem cells to regenerate damaged neurons would undoubtedly be a huge success. Doctors and scientists point out that stem cells may also find use in the treatment of liver damage, e.g. after drug, alcohol or drug abuse, or also caused by autoimmune diseases. The first successes in the use of pluripotent stem cells were reported in clinical trials for macular degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Huntingdon's chorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and myocardial infarction.

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A long way to go?

Regenerative medicine is one of the most intensively developing branches of medicine. The accompanying developments in molecular biology and genetic engineering will certainly influence faster progress. However, we must wait for spectacular results. The results of early-phase clinical trials are promising - hopefully, many conditions will soon be treatable with innovative methods based on the use of extraordinary stem cells.

The road to commercial stem cell treatment is still long. Researchers face a number of challenges, although the prospect of curing many diseases is the greatest reward for the hard work of many years and hours spent in the laboratory.