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Stem cells are undifferntiated cells of multicellular organisms having the ability to renew (reproduce) itself for long periods and give rise to large number of similar cells.After differntiation stem cells give rise to different kind of cells/tissues.
Reproductive tissues are the important source of stem cells (progenitor cells). Stem cells have the potential to be used in the field of regenerative medicine.
Potentials for the use of stem cells in Regenerative Medicine
A. Embryonic tissues: Inner cell mass (ICM) of the blastocyst, embryo and yolk sac.
B. Fetal Stem Cells: Human fetal hematopoietic stem cells (hf HSC) are primarily obtained from bonemarrow and liver. Virtually every part of the developing fetus having higher proliferative capacity.
These cells have higher amount of telomerase activity and have longer telomeres compared to their adult counter parts.
Moreover, these tissues can differentiate efficiently into neuronal, muscle and osteogenic lineages.
C. Extrafetal tissues: Amniotic membranes, placenta, trophoblasts, amniotic fluid cells, all contain progenitor cells.
These mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can differentiate into most cell types of mesodermal lineages.
Allogenic transplantation of HSC in the treatment of monogenic disorder has certain advantages. It has high tolerance and less rejection rate as it is done before the onset of fetal immune maturity (first trimester).
Autologous stem cells from fetal cord blood sampling or fetal liver biopsy in early pregnancy is done and the cells are
An exvivo gene transfer may be done thereafter. This also reduces the risk of immune rejection. However, fetal HSC in first trimester has favourable engraftment kinetics. In the first trimester fetal hematopoietic stem cells are highly proliferative and they circulate in significant numbers. Therefore these cells are the important source of autologous HSC.
Fetal mesenchymal stem cells can be bioengineered and used for the disease of bone, skin, liver and heart.
The potential to use stem cells for the fabrication of tissues or organ implants may prove helpful in the treatment of several diseases like genetic, immune deficiency syndromes, urinary incontinence, infertility and structural repair
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However, till date it is essential to understand its known limitations, putative benefits and the unknown risks. Until there is suffcient evidence on the efficacy of therapy, each case should be considered on an individual basis.
