Stem Cells

During prenatal development a child’s organism grows from unspecified cells called stem cells. Eventually these cells differentiate into different tissues and organs. Most of these cells lose their unique ability to differentiate in the next stage of development; however a certain number of stem cells that can renew or regenerate damaged tissue remains. These natural defenses are limited in case of serious defects such as myocardial infarctions, cerebrovascular attacks or damage to insulin-producing cells. This is where regenerative medicine can help. Hematopoietic stem cells are cells capable of differentiating into red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets. In an adult these cells can only be found in bone marrow. There they divide or differentiate depending on the need of the organisms. For example up to half a kilogram of new red blood cells is produced in a month. Newest research and clinical experience show that under certain circumstances a hematopoietic cell is capable of changing into cells of different tissues and can act as a source of “spare parts” for the heart, blood vessels, the liver or nerve tissue. Stem Cells in Cord Blood There are different types if stem cells in cord blood.  Some of them are similar to the stem cells in an adult; others originate from the time of embryonic development. Cells in cord blood never occur in blood in such a composition again during our lifetime. The best-known and most used are hematopoietic stem cells. Different types of cells found in cord blood are mainly mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic like stem cells that play a part in the regeneration of damaged parts of the organism. They are able to differentiate into blood cells, muscle cells, bone cells, liver cells, cardiac muscle cells etc. All types of stem cells from cord blood are subject to intensive research due to their unique attributes perspective utilization in medicine. Stem cells from cord blood are adult stem cells. They are not ethically controversial and their use for research and treatment is accepted by all major world religions. Even The Holy See supports their use. Cord Blood in Regenerative Medicine A new field of medicine where stem cells are used to renew damaged tissues and organs is called regenerative medicine. Autologous stem cells, for example from bone marrow, are actively used in many procedures such as the treatment of non-healing wounds and fractures. Stem cells from cord blood are able to differentiate into various types of cells which suggest great potential of utilization in treating the damage of the myocardial muscle, blood vessels, the liver, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases etc. Cells from your own cord blood are being tested on child patients suffering from type 1 diabetes in order to regenerate insulin-producing cells or in case of hypoxic brain injury. Stem cells from cord blood from donors are also being tested on animals for the repair of damaged myocardial muscle after myocardial infarction.