What are stem cells used for?
Author: Sharon Jang , Vanessa Mok | Reviewer: Peggy Assinck | Published: 13 May 2020 | Updated: ~
Stem cell therapy is the use of stem cells to help replace or repair damaged tissue in the human body. In this type of therapy, stem cells are either differentiated into the cell of interest outside of the body prior to transplantation (exogenous), or directly transplanted into the site of injury (endogenous). In exogenous repair, scientists differentiate specific stem cell types in a laboratory and then implant the cells into the body. On the other hand, endogenous repair consists of directly transplanting stem cells into the body, and depends on the body’s ability to transform the cells into the specific type required for repair. These cells can be sourced from various places: autologous transplantation involves the use of stem cells from the person who is receiving the transplant, whereas allogenic transplantation involves receiving stem cells from a donor.
Cell transplantation versus stem cell transplantationCell transplantation is an umbrella term for stem cell transplantation. Different cells can be transplanted into the body including fat cells, bone marrow cells, and nose cells. Cell transplantation is the process of transferring cells into areas of the body that are damaged or injured. These transfers work in 2 main ways: 1) the cells can be transplanted into the injury site for direct repair, or 2) the cells can be transplanted into the blood where they can circulate around the body and cause system-wide changes. Most work in SCI focuses on putting a more specialized cell into the injury site (not just stem cells). For example, a stem cell can be pushed towards becoming a myelinating cell and then the myelinating cell could be transplanted into the injury site, or a Schwann cell could be harvested from the leg and then transplanted at the injury site. |
Currently, only a small number of conditions are approved to be treated with stem cell therapy. Bone marrow transplants for leukemia have been performed for many years.
Epithelial stem cell transplants
are also done to regenerate cells in those who have suffered burns or disorders of the cornea. Stem cell therapy for other purposes, including SCI, is still relatively new and much of the research is still in its early stages. The figure below highlights important landmarks in the history of stem cells research.
