Mesenchymal Stem Cells – Stem Cell Treatment

Mesenchymal stem cells are those stem cells, in adult tissue, that form a variety of different cell types but are not haematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells. These non-blood somatic (adult) stem cells are found in the bone marrow, in dental pulp, in skin, and adipose tissue, and are multipotent. Initially thought quite rare in the adult body, these mesenchymal stem cells have now been located in so-called stem cell niches and offer an exciting opportunity for stem cell researchers to investigate their abilities to differentiate into different cell types.

The derivation of the term mesenchymal is the mesoderm layer of the embryo itself which differentiates into haematopoietic (blood- and immune-forming) stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. The mesenchymal stem cells of the mesoderm, in the center of the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, are those which go on to form the internal organs like the liver, and kidneys, along with muscle, connective tissue, and bone. Mesenchymal stem cells do not form blood cells or immune system cells however, despite originating from the same layer of the embryo as the haematopoietic stem cells.

The term mesenchymal stem cells is regarded by some as inaccurate and the description of these cells as stromal cells is sometime preferred. These stromal cells are connective tissue cells which form the structural tissues of the body. However, this term is now under fire as stromal/mesenchymal stem cells have been found to be involved in more than just the initial growth of the supportive tissues, but also in the active repair of these tissues. A replacement term of multipotent stromal cell (MSC) has become popular as it encompasses the general location in tissue and the potential functions of these stem cell types.

The existence of MSCs was first discovered by pioneering researchers McCulloch and Till in the 1960s which led to bone marrow transplants become a common treatment for leukaemia and related disorders. These cells were later referred to as colony-forming unit-fibroblasts (CFU-f) although this, somewhat unwieldy, name has been largely ignored in recent years in favor of stromal cells, mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs. The stem cells derived from bone marrow have been successfully manipulate by providing certain environmental stimulants such as ascorbic acid, inorganic phosphate, and dexamethasone to promote their differentiation into osteoblasts. Other environmental stimuli give rise to chondrocytes, and cells of a vascular nature with implications for numerous diseases such as cardiovascular disease, and degenerative bone disease.

MSCs are not only found in adult tissue but are also present in the umbilical cord. The richness of umbilical cord blood in terms of haematopoietic stem cells is mirrored by the high levels of MSCs in Whartons Jelly in the umbilical cord. These MSCs are also subtly different to those found in more mature tissue as they are more primitive and could, therefore, be easier to alter and induce pluripotency. Cord blood banking may be increasing in popularity, but it may also be worth considering storing the MSCs from the cord tissue itself.

Another rich source of mesenchymal stem cells is the deciduous (milk) teeth of children, in particular the mandibular third molar. The bud of this tooth has been found to contain stem cells which differentiate into nearly thirty distinct tissue types including blood vessels, dentin, neural tissue, and enamel. Collecting these baby teeth as they naturally fall out could offer an easily accessible resource for mesenchymal stem cells. Collecting healthy dental pulp from adult teeth during tooth extraction may also allow an individual to store their own mesenchymal stem cells for potential future use with a number of dental stem cell banks now available.

Amniotic fluid has also been found to contain a considerable number of mesenchymal stem cells, although reports of these being pluripotent appear unfounded. Researchers found that amniotic fluid taken during the second trimester of pregnancy and cultured in the laboratory contained more mesenchymal stromal cells than adult bone marrow. Other advantages of amniotic-fluid-derived MSCs include the longer telomeres, and higher proliferative potential in comparison to other sources of MSCs such as bone marrow. The dangers of amniocentesis are not inconsequential however, and the collection and storage of amniotic fluid would only be desirable if the pregnant woman were undergoing such a procedure for the purposes of disease detection, for example. It may also be possible to collect and store some amniotic fluid after the successful delivery of the baby.

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Stem Cell Treatment