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2Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have two

defining properties:
 the ability to differentiate into other cells and the
 ability to self-regenerate.

2Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that

are able to differentiate into specialized cell types.
whe two broad types of mammalian stem cells are:

     - that are isolated from the inner cell mass
of blastocysts. In a developing embryo, stem cells can
differentiate into all of the specialized cells, but also maintain the
normal turnover of regenerative organs, such as blood, skin, or
intestinal tissues.

m     - that are found in different tissues. In adult

organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system
for the body, replenished in adult tissuesJ
  !
 
 

Stem cells can be obtained from several sources:

2Spare embryos: stem cells can come from leftover

embryos stored at fertility clinics that were not
used by couples to have children.
2 Special purpose embryos: embryos are created in
vitro fertilization (artificially in the lab) for the sole
purpose of extracting their stem cells.
|mbryos and living or dead adult tissue provide stem cells.

‡ Cloned embryos: embryos are cloned in labs using somatic

nuclear transfer method in order to harvest their stem cells.
‡ Aborted fetuses: stem cells are taken from fetuses in early
development that have been aborted.
‡ Umbilical cords: this after-childbirth tissue holds potential for
research.
‡ Adult tissue or organs: stem cells are obtained from the tissue
or organs of living adults during surgery.
‡ Cadavers: isolation and survival of neural progenitor cells
from human post-mortem tissues (up to 20 hours after death).
 PROPERTIES OF STEM CELL

2 Self-renewal .
2 Potency definitions.

2 Stem cells are unspecialized.

2 Stem cells can give rise to specialized cells.

2 wransdifferentiation.
 EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

2 whey are pluripotent stem cells derived from the

inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early-stage
embryo.
2 Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4±5
days post fertilization.
2 Isolating the embryoblast or inner cell mass (ICM)
results in destruction of the fertilized human
embryo,which raises ethical issues

   ""  
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2Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells, found

throughout the body after embryonic development,
that multiply by cell division to replenish dying cells
and regenerate damaged tissues.
2 Also known as somatic stem cells, they can be
found in juvenile as well as adult animals and
humans.
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ñesearch and Clinical Applications of Cultured Stem
Cells

º Êunctional Genomic studies ^ a specific gene can be

introduced into |S cells to produce transgenic mice.
whis gene can be transmitted to their offspring through
the germline.
º rug discovery and development- With the
sequencing of the human genome many potential
targets of new drugs have been identified.
º Cell-based therapy - |S cells have been induced to
differentiate into neurons, cardiomyocytes and
endoderm cells.
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Role of stem cells in cancer

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2 Skin replacement-Stem cells has made it possible

for scientists to grow skin from a patient·s plucked
hair.
2Brain cell transplantation -Potential targets of
neural stem cell transplants include stroke, spinal
cord injury, and neurodegenerative diseases such as
Parkinson·s Disease.

Current treatments

For over 30 years, bone marrow, and more recently,

umbilical cord blood stem cells, have been used to
treat cancer patients with conditions such as
leukemia and lymphoma.
   
Cell deficiency therapy

2 Healthy heart cells developed in a laboratory may one day be

transplanted into patients with heart disease, repopulating the heart
with healthy tissue.
2 People with type I diabetes may receive pancreatic cells to
replace the insulin-producing cells that have been lost or destroyed
by the patient's own immune system.

Blood disease treatments

2 Adult hematopoietic stem cells found in blood and bone marrow

have been used for years to treat diseases such as leukemia, sickle
cell anemia, and other immunodeficienciesJ
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wransplantable Liver-ñepopulating Cells

2 §ne of the hallmarks of tissue-specific stem cells is

their capacity to repopulate a specific organ and
restore its function.
2 wo identify liver stem cells; a small number of
transplanted donor cells were found to engraft in the
liver and expand to replace >50% of the liver mass.
2 |fficient repopulation of the biliary system has not
been reported, but it is possible to functionally
evaluate hepatic stem cell populations based on their
capacity for liver repopulation
   "      '  " (   )  

2 Because of the persistent donor shortage, several stem cell based

therapies for liver disease have been proposed; namely,
extracorporeal bioartificial liver devices, cell transplantation, and
tissue-engineered constructs.
2 espite their differences, these therapies share a requirement for
adequate cell supply and stability of liver-specific functions.
2 Current cell-based approaches will rely on a variety of cell
sources, whether primary or stem cells, which will ultimately
interact with the microenvironment en route to providing key liver-
specific functions.
 

!  *  

2 |very cell in the body, is derived from first few

stem cells formed in the early stages.
2 Stem cell research is also useful for learning
about human development.
2 Although there is no complete consensus on the
roles of hepatic stem cells in adult mammalsJ
2 A mature differentiated epithelial liver cells and
facultative stem cells mediate liver maintenance
and growth.
wHANKS