Definition and Classification of Stem Cells:
What are Stem cells?
In simple terms, stem cells are cells that
have the ability to divide and create other cells like themselves, as well as divide and create cells more differentiated than themselves
Stem cell properties are :
-
- Ability to replicate themselves (make copies of themselves)
Potency : capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types and tissues
Based on potency stem cells can be divided into 5 major types:
– Totipotent Stem Cells (Omnipotent)
- Pluripotent
- Multipotent
- Oligopotent
- Unipotent
- Totipotent
Can differentiate into embryonic and extra embryonic stem cells
- Can develop into complete organism
- Produced from fusion of egg and sperm cell
- Comes from embryo 1 to 3 days old.
Pluripotent Stem Cell
- Descendants of totipotent stem cells
- Can form any cell type derived from germ cells
- Example : blastocytes(5-14 days old )
- Also called embryonic Stem Cells
Multipotent Stem Cells:
- Cell differentiated , but can form a number of new tissues
- Adult Stem Cells
- Example: fetal tissue, cord blood , adipose tissue, bone marrow
Oligopotent Stem Cells :
– Can differentiate into only a few types of cells
- examples: myeloid and Lymphoid Cells
Unipotential Stem Cells:
- Can only produce One cell type
- Example : Muscle Stem Cell
- Stem cells have potential to replace cell tissue that has been damaged or destroyedTypes of Stem Cells:
1.Embryonic Stem Cells
2.Adult Stem Cells
3.Induced Pluripotent Stem CellsEmbryonic Stem Cells:
Derived from the inner cell mass of blastocytes of preimplantation -stage embryosNeed specific signals to differentiate to the desired cell types
If simply injected directly they will differentiate into many different type of cells including creation of teratomas
2nd problem transplant rejection
Adult Stem Cells:
- Less controversial
- No destruction of embryos
no risk of immune rejection since it comes from the recipient (autograft)
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells:
– somatic cells produced in the lab and are reprogrammed genetically to an embryonic stem cell stateNo immune rejection issues
In Summary Stem Cells are part of the regenerative medicine group of treatment modalities that will eventual change how medicine is practiced.
AUTHOR
Dr. Anteneh Roba
