What’s Next for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine?

The human body has an amazing capacity to heal itself after being injured or when fighting a disease. This capacity is largely due to stem cells, which can regenerate cells and repair tissue. Scientists are harnessing the incredible capabilities of stem cells for use in a field of research called regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine seeks to replace or regenerate human cells, tissue and organs to restore or establish normal function. This field of research is trying to find cures for many previously untreatable injuries and diseases including blindness, stroke, brain damage, paraplegia, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Why Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine are a Perfect Match?

Researchers have discovered that many stem cells can differentiate into a number of types of cells. For example, the Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) found within umbilical cord blood are multipotent, which means they can transform into other types of cells including myocytes (muscle cells), osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and adipocytes (fat cells). Umbilical cord tissue is also a rich source of MSCs (DT, 2015).

Scientists can harvest multipotent stem cells and tell them to differentiate into other cells that can be used to regenerate tissue and organs or treat a specific disease. MSCs can also secrete growth factors and cytokines that can be used to treat diseases or aid in tissue regeneration. Recent research has shown that MSCs can transfer other cells to the site of damage within the body to help repair damage, help create new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and create new nerve cells (neurogenesis) (Web.stanford.edu, 2011).

Stem cells and regenerative medicine have the potential to treat millions of people with previously untreatable ailments. Researchers estimate that more than 128 million people in the United States alone may benefit from cord blood stem cells and regenerative medicine (Harris DT, 2015).

There are dozens of research projects involving stem cells and regenerative medicine, here are some of the latest breakthroughs.

Stem Cells May Help Treat HIV

Researchers from the UCLA Ely and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine have developed a molecule that can be inserted into blood-forming stem cells to help the body fight the HIV virus. At the animal testing stage, researchers believe it may be an essential component for finding a cure for HIV.

Stem Cells Can Help Make Heart Surgery Safer

Research from Creighton University has demonstrated that stem cells can be used to make coronary artery grafts safer. Bone marrow derived cells are used to regenerate a layer of cells on a major blood vessel, reducing the risk of blockages.

Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Researchers at the University of York and Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam have discovered which MSCs have the properties needed to treat osteoarthritis. They have identified which stem cells can create cartilage and bone, paving the way for a cure.

Stem Cells Used to Treat Spinal Injuries

Researchers in Sweden have used a stem cell treatment to restore some sensory function in mice with paraplegia. This research may help people with debilitating spinal injuries gain muscle function and feeling in their extremities.

Stem Cells Can Help Treat Diabetes

Researchers in the United States have found a way to treat diabetic neuropathy in animals using stem cells. Diabetic neuropathy affects 60% of people with diabetes and often leads to the amputation of limbs. The research found that injecting MSCs into bone marrow led to blood vessel growth and nerve re-myelination.

Stem Cells Used to Treat Brain Injuries

Researchers have demonstrated that the use of stem cell therapy can help treat children with traumatic brain injuries. The stem cells reduce the need for therapeutic intervention and reduce the time the children spent in intensive care.

Stem Cells May be Used to Re-grow Limbs

Doctor in Massachusetts have managed to regrow a rat limb with functioning vascular and muscle tissue, using stem cells. This astonishing research gives hope to many amputee sufferers around the world.

Stem Cells May Treat Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists from Duke University have discovered how some stem cells can create neurons in the brain — an important discovery for the treatment of brain injuries and diseases.

Stem Cells Can Reduce Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Researchers have found that Mesenchymal Stem Cell therapy can reduce inflammation in cystic fibrosis. By reducing inflammation, doctors can reduce damage to internal organs and ultimately increase the life expectancy of people with cystic fibrosis.

Stem Cells Can Treat Cardiac Damage

Scientists have discovered a protein that can help them identify cardiac cells to make stem cell transplantation possible. Transplanting cardiac stem cells will allow doctors to regenerate heart tissue after a heart attack or treat damage caused by diseases.

Stem Cells Used to Treat Stroke

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have found that stem cells can be safely used to treat the brain injuries of people who have had a stroke.

Stem Cells May Be Used to Treat Macular Degeneration

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) have been used to create nerve cells and treat macular degeneration in animal tests. This research may lead to a cure for macular degeneration and some forms of blindness. Researchers at the University of Toronto have also developed a biomaterial gel that may help stem cells treat blindness.

Sources
DT, H. (2015). Umbilical cord tissue mesenchymal stem cells: characterisation and clinical applications. – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 12 April 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23895058
Harris DT, e. (2015). The potential of cord blood stem cells for use in regenerative medicine. – PubMed – NCBI. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 30 July 2015, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17727322
Web.stanford.edu,. (2011). Mesenchymal Stem Cells | HOPES. Retrieved 30 July 2015, from http://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/mesenchymal-stem-cells-2/