| This is the second in a series of articles about a | | | | are constantly being produced by our own body, |
| subject that enriched my life. My hope is that a | | | | why do we need to have supplemental therapy |
| better understanding of health issues will lead to | | | | with iPS cells? |
| your life enrichment as well. | | | | As we go through life and our bodies develop, we |
| To recap, we have learned that stem cells are | | | | may experience what the medical profession calls |
| required for the growth and development of all | | | | "insults" to the body. Such insults may be due to: |
| cells in the body. We learned that Embryonic | | | | birth defects, trauma (bumps or bruises), immune |
| Stem cells (ES) are derived from fertilized eggs; | | | | deficiencies, severe infections by viral or bacterial |
| and Embryonic Germ cells (EG) are naturally | | | | agents, genetic mutations, and so on. Just as we |
| derived from the germ layer of tissue. A third | | | | nourish our bodies with proper food, vitamins and |
| type of stem cell derived from mesenchymal | | | | minerals, so must we keep our stem cells healthy |
| tissue is known as induced Pluripotent Stem cell | | | | and functioning. |
| (iPS). These Adult Stem Cells have shown | | | | Serious disorders such as heart and lung disease, |
| amazing ability to correct many debilitating, often | | | | high blood pressure, spinal and neurological injuries, |
| chronic diseases. | | | | diabetes type 1 and 2, adult macular degeneration |
| Have you ever wondered how scientists came up | | | | of the eye, Parkinson's disease, osteoporosis, are |
| with the name, stem cells? Perhaps one way of | | | | just some of the stem cell therapy applications |
| explaining how the phrase was derived is by using | | | | that have already been employed, and in many |
| the analogy of plant structure. Most plants start | | | | cases, with dramatic results. The science |
| growth from a germinating layer (the seed) which | | | | continues. Imagine, scientists at the University of |
| gives rise to the necessary supporting mechanism | | | | Rochester have recently demonstrated growth of |
| (a stalk or stem) which allows nourishment to | | | | new teeth in animals using stem cells! |
| give rise to its leaves, buds, seeds and branches. | | | | If you haven't had the opportunity of witnessing |
| Our bodies are a lot like that: the germinating cells; | | | | the results of stem cell therapy for yourself, I |
| the stem cells that support and nourish cells to | | | | would like to direct your attention to a video that |
| allow the formation of every mature living | | | | documents the case of a teenager who traveled |
| component of who we become. | | | | to China to obtain treatments for blindness that |
| Scientists have ranked stem cells according to | | | | she had from birth. Follow this link: |
| their ability to form and differentiate into mature | | | | Is there any downside to stem cell therapy? As |
| cells in the body: embryonic cells are considered | | | | science evolves, the answer may be a resounding |
| Totipotent if they contain all the necessary | | | | NO. For now, there are two important issues: the |
| components to produce ES cells that can develop | | | | possibility that even stem cell therapy may not |
| into any body cell types; | | | | work in all people to due their own rejection. Or, |
| EG Stem cells derived from one type of tissue | | | | the stem cell may run out of control and cause |
| such as blood, are considered Multipotent if they | | | | extra growth, like cancer cells. In both cases, the |
| develop into cells that are closely related such as | | | | skill of the people involved in producing the |
| red or white blood cells, platelets, etc.; Unipotent | | | | treatments is of the utmost importance. |
| stem cells can produce only one cell type; | | | | First, scientists have just unlocked the mystery |
| engineered iPS cells derived from mesenchymal | | | | that formerly surrounded why some people's cells |
| (fatty) tissue are called Pluripotent as they can | | | | run amok after stem cell therapy. The people at |
| differentiate into any germ layer of tissue. | | | | the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research in |
| We'll focus our attention on these iPS cells for | | | | Massachusetts have discovered a method for |
| they are most often used today around the | | | | controlling this problem. To reduce the possibility |
| world to promote a better Quality of Life. To be | | | | of rejecting stem cell therapy, careful compatibility |
| effective, these engineered cells must | | | | methods using tissue derived from either healthy |
| demonstrate two important properties: the ability | | | | umbilical cord, skin cells, or mesenchymal tissue will |
| for self-renewal (able to go through cell division | | | | result in optimal response to these treatments. |
| multiple times without mutation) and; demonstrate | | | | In the next installment we'll some dos and don'ts |
| potency (develop into any mature cell type). | | | | to help people get the most out of stem cell |
| As mentioned in the first article on stem cells, iPS | | | | therapy. We'll also describe in more detail what |
| cells are being used as supplemental therapy | | | | you might expect if you have to obtain stem cell |
| throughout the world to treat a whole host of | | | | therapy for your condition. |
| serious diseases. You may wonder, "If stem cells | | | | |