STEM CELL

3.1. Definition Stem cell is a cell which have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. There are some character of the stem cells , such as : Self Renewal Stem cells have an ability to produce an divide more cells sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Under certain physiological or experimental conditions, they can differentiate to cells of specific functions 3.2. Source 1. Embrionic Stem Cells The embryos used in these studies were created for reproductive purposes through in vitro fertilization procedures. When they were no longer needed for that purpose, they were donated for research with the informed consent of the donor. 2. Adult Stem Cell These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, skin, and the liver. They remain in a quiescent or non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury. 3.3. Types of Stem Cell Totipotent stem cells They can differentiate into all embryonic cell types. They include the cells of the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Pluripotent stem cells They are descendants of totipotent stem cells and can differentiate to all cells derived from any of the three germ layers. Multipotent stem cells

 They can differentiate into a number of different cells but all of closely related family e.g. hematopoeitic stem cells differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells and blood platelets. Oligopotent stem cells They can differentiate only into a few cells as the lymphoid and myeloid stem cells. Unipotent stem cells They produce only their own cell type, but they have the property of self renewal which distinguishes them from the non-stem cells, e.g. muscle stem cells. 3.4. Function 1. Gene therapy the hematopoetic stem cells can be used to carry the transgene into the patient body a possibility of administration transgene containing stem cells into the body only in one times hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into many various blood cells 2. Studies of biological processes developmental process of organism and cancer facilitated by the ability to trace stem cell fate 3. Research to discover and to develop the new drugs investigate the effect of drugs on the tissues 4. Cell based therapy Stem cells can be cultured and manipulated in the laboratory

 followed by transplantation them into the patient in treatment of the diseases without disturbing the function of the body 3.5. Side effect There is no doubt that stem cell therapy holds enormous potential. Unfortunately, this potential also brings with it side-effects, some particularly severe. Such was the case during a therapy that used human foetal stem cells. Unexpected Consequences of Stem Cell Therapy While there have been some cases reported where experimentation on rodents resulted in the growth of tumours after stem cell injection, this hadn't been documented in humans after foetal stem cell therapy. Researchers also knew that this risk in rodents could be reduced if the stem cells were differentiated before they were injected. This means that the stem cells were coaxed into the desired body cell for the therapy prior to injection. Examining a Benign Tumour After the spinal cord growth was operated on and removed from the patients in some cases, doctors found that it looked like a glioneuronal tumour, which is a benign kind of neural tumour. After more examination, it was determined that this tumour couldn't have stemmed from the patients own tissues. A Weakened Immune System In a person who has a healthy immune system, the normal 'checks' on the body would be more likely to prevent a tumour from establishing itself. In some cases we have known for some time now that there is the potential for stem cells to trigger the growths of tumours but the reality has been show that this is a rarity.

3.6. How Its Work

 The first step in using stem cells for disease treatment is to establish stem cell lines Next, scientists must be able to turn on specific genes within the stem cells so that the stem cells will differentiate into any cell they wish. After that, the cells can start the transplantation