Stem cells

The origin of life

Stem cells are the foundation for every organ and tissue in your body. There are many different types of stem cells that come from different places in the body or are formed at different times in our lives. These include embryonic stem cells that exist only at the earliest stages of development and adult stem cells that appear during fetal development and remain in our bodies throughout life. Adult stem cells are widely used in research and medical treatments.

2 types of adult stem cells: HSC & MSC

HSC

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the capacity to self-renew and the potential to differentiate into all of the mature blood cell types. The ability to prospectively identify and isolate HSCs has been the subject of extensive investigation since the first transplantation studies implying their existence almost 50 years ago. Transplantation of HSCs forms the basis of consolidation therapy in cancer treatments and is used to cure or ameliorate a number of hematologic and genetic disorders.

MSC

MSCs (also known as Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells, or Medicinal Signalling Cells) can make several types of cells belonging to our skeletal tissues, such as cartilage, bone and fat. Scientists are investigating how MSCs might be used to treat bone and cartilage diseases. MSCs are relatively easy to expand in a cell culture, however determination of their concentration in harvested tissue is more complex.

Source: Robert G. Hawley, Ali Ramezani, and Teresa S. Hawley, "Hematopoietic Stem Cells," Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology, The George Washington University Medical Center, eurostemcell.org, Katja Rebolj, Matija Veber, Matej Drobnič, Elvira Maličev, "Hematopoietic stem cell and mesenchymal stem cell population size in bone marrow samples depends on patient’s age and harvesting technique," Cytotechnology. 2018 Dec; 70(6): 1575–1583. Published online 2018 Sep 18.

Stem cells are special human cells

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MSC: care or cure?

MSC (Mesenchymal Stem Cell) is classified as one type of adult stem cells with pluripotent properties; meaning they can develop into many types of cells. MSCs are free from human leukocyte antigen (HLA), making them safe for patients of different genetics. Simply speaking, we can extract MSCs from one person and apply them on another without fear of rejection. These stem cells are extracted from cord tissues, amniotic membrane and adipose (human lipid). Treatments using MSCs work to both “cure” for certain diseases and “care” for individuals who want to improve their health or those with chronic degenerative conditions.

CARE

Thanks to their unique properties to help spur cell growth, improve immunity and reduce inflammation, MSCs could prevent premature health degeneration and improve skin condition. Growth factor substances produced by MSCs are key to skin enhancement.

CURE

Even though cell therapy (using HSC type of stem cells) has proved to cure more than 85 diseases and illnesses nowadays, cell therapy using MSC type of stem cells is still in early stages of development. Yet, research on Osteoarthritis, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and many others look promising.

Viability, purity and safety are key

qualities

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Quality of stem cells

Viability, purity and safety are key determinants for quality of stem cells. Without a proper certification, we cannot tell whether stem cells are of good or poor quality. Good quality stem cells have a high number of viability rate, have very low or zero chemical and contamination, and have precise certain markers to make them safe for patients. “AABB” (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) is the most accepted international standards of stem cells.