Last Updated on: 31st July 2023, 03:39 pm
Pluripotent stem cells are some of the most versatile cells in the human body. These special cells can divide and develop into any one of the three primary groups of cells that make up a human body. This includes the ectoderm, which gives rise to the skin and nervous system, and the endoderm, which forms the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, endocrine glands, liver, and pancreas.
What’s even more incredible is that pluripotent stem cells can be derived from both adult tissue and embryonic tissue. In 2006, Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka discovered how to reprogram adult cells back to their pluripotent state using a technique called induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapy. This groundbreaking discovery has paved the way for new treatments for a variety of diseases and disorders.
What are pluripotent stem cells?
Pluripotent stem cells are a type of cell that has the ability to divide and differentiate into any other cell type in the human body. This makes them incredibly valuable for regenerative medicine, as they have the potential to be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and injuries.
What are the different types of pluripotent stem cells?
There are two main types of pluripotent stem cells: embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from early stage embryos, while induced pluripotent stem cells are created from adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells.
What are the benefits of pluripotent stem cell therapy?
Pluripotent stem cell therapy offers a number of potential benefits, including the ability to repair damaged tissue, regenerate organs, and treat a wide range of diseases. Additionally, because these cells can be derived from the patient’s own body, there is no risk of rejection or adverse immune response.
Top 5 Benefits of pluripotent stem cell therapy
- Pluripotent stem cells can be used to create any cell type in the human body, making them a powerful tool for regenerative medicine.
- Pluripotent stem cells can be derived from both embryonic and adult sources.
- Embryonic pluripotent stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, while adult pluripotent stem cells can be reprogrammed from differentiated cells in the body.
- Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to self-renew, meaning they can divide and produce more pluripotent stem cells indefinitely.
- This makes them an ideal source of cells for therapeutic purposes, as they can be used to generate an unlimited supply of any cell type needed.
What are the problems with pluripotent stem cell therapy?
While the possibility of creating pluripotent cells from adult sources exists and is being actively researched, it has yet arrived at the stage where this procedure can be used for general clinical use. That means that the primary sources of pluripotent stem cells still are fetuses, which comes with serious ethical questions about their collection.
The main issue with pluripotent stem cells remains that there has not yet been found a way to properly control them. This leads to several problems with the main one being the possibility of abnormal cell growth (tumor) which could lead to cancer. The lack of controllability also means that after the injection there is no way to make sure that the cells actually differentiate into the desired cell type.
For the time being the potential of pluripotent stem cells for regenerative medicine remains a theoretical one, with much more research needed until they can be used to treat patients. In contrast to pluripotent stem cells, there are multipotent stem cells that have already actively been used in treatments for various diseases. While they are not as powerful as pluripotent ones, they are safe to use and have also been shown to be effective.
If you’re interested in learning more about a treatment with multipotent stem cells (derived from umbilical cords) and their potential in regenerative medicine, be sure to check out Beike Cell Therapy. Our team is dedicated to providing the latest information on this cutting-edge therapy, and we can help you get started on your journey to better health.
Click here to learn more about stem cell therapy and how it can help you achieve your health goals.