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Bone Marrow Stem Cells
Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSCs) are characterized as the most primitive form of
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Types
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) give rise to all of the blood cell types found in circulation including
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are
Endothelial Stem Cells are a controversial and hypothetical population of rare cells believed to circulate in the blood and have the ability to differentiate into cells of the endothelium, the thin layer lining the blood vessels. Research is currently being done to provide more evidence for this theory but if these cells were to exist in adults, they would be believed to be angioblasts, or stem cells that form blood vessels during the process that embryo is formed. Other beliefs indicate these stem cells play a part in the formation of skin cells.
Significance
Bone marrow stem cells are generally less flexible and versatile compared to stem cells of the embryo. Embryonic (or fetal) stem cells have greater differentiation potential because of their
A recent study demonstrates BMC’s ability to regenerate dead cells of the
Potential Treatments
Researchers are currently developing therapies for patients affected by myocardial infarction. BMCs injected into the myocardium adjacent to the injured area mobilize to the area of damage when treated with cytokines, giving rise to new cardiac myocytes and coronary vessels (2). Another study helping in the development of new therapies for patients of traumatic brain injuries involve engraftment of BMC’s to the damaged area. Findings confirmed stem cell proliferation and regeneration within the damaged areas and their contribution to reversal of behavioral
The major goal for researchers in treating severe life changing neurological diseases such as
Controversy
Countless animal trials have been run which led to many breakthroughs in the field, yet there have been an equal amount of failures. One big issue involves the reliability of some of the protocols used within each study. There is currently no knowledge of the mechanisms that account for transdifferentiation involving stem cells of the bone marrow (5). Safety and ethics are also a major issue the closer this research gets to clinical practices. There are currently no technologies available to monitor and control differentiation before and after bone marrow transplantation. The complex microenvironment of the body makes it difficult to fully predict the outcome of the cell differentiation.
Challenges
Steps are being taken in order to gain a more concrete understanding of the complexity of this type of cell behavior, what factors play a part in the specific behaviors they exhibit, and how they can be controlled both ex and in vivo. A recent study suggests expression patterns unique to donor cells that can influence heterogeneity and its influence on transdifferentiation mechanics. Researchers are also looking into constructing different technologies that would mimic the conditions inside the body that play a key role in understanding the interactions and processes involved in differentiation. Other areas of focus include more detailed analysis of soluble factors that play a key role in multipotency behavior, reengineering of synthetic material niches, and tissue-derived matrices to ensure safety and efficacy.
See Also
- Stem Cells
- Progenitor Cells
- Differentiation
- Regeneration
- Adult Stem Cells
- Multipotency
- Pluripotency
References
(1) Baker, Andrew H. "Brain Protection Using Autologous Bone Marrow Cell, Metalloproteinase Inhibitors, and Metabolic Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104.9 (2007): 3597-602. Http://www.jstor.org/stable/25426695. National Academy of Sciences, 27 Feb. 2007. Web. 7 Feb. 2010. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/25426695.pdf>.
(2) Orlic, Donald, Jan Kajstura, and Stefano Chimenti. "Bone Marrow Stem Cells Regenerate Infarcted Myocardium." Pediatric Transplantation 3rd ser. 7 (2003): 86-88. Wiley Interscience. Blackwell Munksgaard, 24 Mar. 2010. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/118897161/PDFSTART>.
(3) "Hematopoietic Stem Cells [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. 6 Apr. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/scireport/chapter5.asp>.
(4) "What Are the Similarities and Differences between Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]." NIH Stem Cell Information Home Page. 30 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2010. <http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/basics5.asp>.
(5) Farin, Azadeh, Charles Y. Liu, and Iver A. Langmoen. "Biological Restoration of Central Nervous System Architecture and Function: Part 3- Stem Cell- And Cell-Based Applications and Realities in the Biological Management of Central Nervous System Disorders: Traumatic, Vascular, and Epilepsy Disorders." Neurosurgery 65.5 (2009): 831-59. Restoration of Central. Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Feb. 2010. <www.neurosurgery-online.com>.