Stem cells found in different tissues of the developed human that remain in an undifferentiated state. These stem cells are the building blocks of the body and can give rise to specialized cell types. They come from adult human blood and can be given back ino the same person. The can also come from bone marrow. As a result these cells are often cause autologous cells. Adult Stem Cells are often sourced from the bone marrow, fat, synovium of the joints, umbilical cord and placenta.
A degenerative brain disease, beginning with memory loss, and progressing to dementia.
Any one of the 20 molecules that serve as building blocks for proteins as well as buildiing blocks for DNA.
ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or Maladie de Charcot) is a rapidly progressive, usually fatal disease involving the degeneration of nerve cells and muscle paralysis. This is a form of Motor Neuron Disease caused by the death of the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord.
Anti-aging medicine, an extension of preventive health care, is the next great model of health care for the new millennium. An extension of preventive health care is based on the early detection, prevention, and reversal of aging- related diseases.
Comes from the patient’s own body; and can be harvested from virtually any part of the body, most commonly the blood, bone marrow and joints.
An embryo five days after fertilization. Made up of about 150 cells, the blastocyst consists of a sphere made up of an outer layer of cells, a fluid-filled cavity, and a cluster of cells on the interior (the inner cell mass, or ICM). The ICM is where embryonic stem cells are taken from. Most blastocysts die after 8 days.
A stem cell found in bone marrow that generates bone, cartilage, fat, and fibrous connective tissue.Bone marrow contains a population of rare progenitor cells known as Mesenchymal stem Cells capable of replication as Undifferentiated cells or differentiating into bone, cartilage, fat,muscle, tendon and marrow stroma.
A condition in which the heart muscle deteriorates progressively until the heart muscle cannot pump effectively and blood collects in the vascular system. The resultant increased intravascular pressure and increased osmotic pressure causes leakage of fluid into the extravascular space and congests organs. This condition causes breathlessness, fatigue , palpitations, chest pain and is an extremely unstable cardiac state which can become life threatening. It cannot be cured and often slowly deteriorates over time.
These are Haematopoetic (blood forming) Mesenchymal stem cells found in the umbilical cord and bone marrow of bones, especially the long bones and pelvis. Stem cells found in cord blood have 10 times the potency of bone marrow stem cells in terms of their proliferation potential. There are many more stem cells found in the umbilical cord compared with the bone marrow. This cell forms the main part of Stem cell treatment regimens. CD stands for “cluster of differentiation” molecule and is a molecule found on the surface of the cell.
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Some organisms, such as bacteria, are unicellular (consist of a single cell), humans are multicellular. (Humans have an estimated 100 trillion or 1014 cells) or simplistically put 64 000 doublings of the fertilised egg.
The treatment in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required to repair damaged or depleted adult cell populations or tissues. Many degenerative diseases, as well as damage to organs, may be treated this way.
Growth of cells in a laboratory is usually called “ex-vivo” or on an artificial medium. This is now becoming a prerequisite to the successful development of Stem Cell based treatments.
Process by which a single cell divides to create two cells. This continuous process allows a population of cells to increase in number or maintain its numbers. Stem cells which may be few in number on collection may be cultured using this principal to increase their numbers. Also called “expansion”.
A group of cells that come from a common ancestor and can be grown and maintained in a culture indefinitely.
A specific subset of cells within the body, defined by their appearance, location and function. E.g. heart cells or cardiocyte, cartilage cells or chondrocytes , muscle cells or myocyte, collagen cells or fibroblasts, liver cells, nerve cells etc.
Is a nonprogressive motor deficit resulting from brain abnormalites that occur in the prenatal or perinatal period. It is a persistent brain disorder that presents before the age of 3 and its cause is unknown. In many cases some form of birth trauma or birth asphyxia may have played a part. It is not progressive and has no treatment except for the symptoms. It causes chronic motor disability in children and can cause cognitive disability and epilepsy. Stem cell therapy seems to elicit a response in more than 90% of these patients under the age of 4.
The process of creating a cell that is genetically identitical to another. There are two types of cloning: therapeutic and reproductive. The process of cloning is known as SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer).
SCNT: A technique whereby the nucleus of a somatic cell (any cell of the body except sperm and egg) is injected into an egg that has had its nucleus removed.
Therapeutic Cloning: The process by which an adult cell nucleus is fused with an enucleated egg to form a reconstructed embryo. This embryo is then used as a source of stem cells.
Reproductive Cloning: The nucleus from the cell of a live animal is put into an empty egg and grown into a blastocyst. The embryo is then transplanted into a woman’s uterus where it develops into a baby (which is technically a genetic clone of the animal that donated the nucleus).
The broth that covers cells in a culture dish, in which they may divide and multiply and which contains nutrients to feed the cells as well as other growth factors that may be added to direct cells to change into the required cell type.
The part of the cell surrounding but not including the nucleus. It includes other cell structures called organelles.
A disease that continuously deteriorates causing increasing disability over time. Diseases like multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s Disease fit into this category.
This disease occurs when the body does not properly produce or use insulin (a hormone required to convert food to energy). Diabetes is classified as Type 1 or Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes), is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas leading to a deficiency of insulin. It is one of the few diseases that there is conclusive evidence that stem cells can cure. This has been achieved by transplanting stem cells to make a new pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes (previously known as adult-onset diabetes) is due to a combination of defective insulin secretion and insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity. Type 2 diabetes is usually first treated by attempts to change physical activity (generally an increase is desired), the diet (generally to decrease carbohydrate intake), and weight loss.
All cells start as a pluripotential stem cell (has the ability to form any cell) and then move on to become a specific cell type. This process is called differentiation. The process whereby an unspecialized early cell acquires the features of a specialized cell, such as a heart, liver, or muscle cell.
Whatever processes are needed in manipulating stem cell culture conditions to induce differentiation into a particular cell type. Certain growth factors can force the cells to become pre-defined specialised cells.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, a chemical found in the nucleus of cells. DNA carries the instructions for making the whole human being. In humans the program is unique to each person.
An ultrasound of the heart to determine the ability to pump blood especially through the heart valves. It is given as a percentage called an ejection fraction( see below). Recent treatments with stem cells given into the heart have provided very promising results for the treatment of heart failure particularly in severe intractable conditions where heart transplant was the only other treatment option.
Upper, outermost layer of a group of cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Ultimately as the foetus develops this layer gives rise to skin, nerves and brain.
The measurement of the hearts ability to eject blood from the heart following each contraction of the heart. Usually given as a fraction of the left ventricle’s ability to pump blood out of its chamber and is a good predictor of longevity in patients. It needs to be above 55% in females and above 63% in males.
In humans, the developing zygote from the time of fertilization until the end of the eighth week of gestation, when it becomes known as a foetus.
Bundles of cells that form when embryonic stem cells are cultured.These are used in research to determine how these cells integrate with tissues.
Embryonic stem cells, which have been cultured in the laboratory and carry on proliferating without differentiation for long periods, even years.
Undifferentiated cells from the embryo that have the potential to become a variety of specialized cell types. Embryonic Stem cell( ES ) are a population of stem-renewing, pluripotent cells that are derived from the inner cell mass of developing blastocysts ( around 4 days after conception). An ES cell is self-renewing (can replicate itself) and is pluripotent (can form all cell types found in the body.)
Lower layer of a group of cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst; it gives rise to lungs and digestive organs.
The process of growing cells in the laboratory, outside the body, with the intention of returning the cell into the body.
A developing human baby evolved from the embryo at about two months after conception and continues to birth.
Cells involved in reproduction. The male gamete is a sperm, and the female gamete is the ovum (egg).
The three layers that represent human tissue endoderm ,mesoderm and ectoderm.
Common abbreviation to denote Good Manufacturing process, which is the standard set by a number of authorities to ensure that production of cells is safe.
Occurs when the transplanted cell or organ causes an immune response in the host, ultimately leading to rejection.
Is a stem cell from which all red and white blood cell develop. The precursors of mature blood cells that are defined by their ability to replace the bone marrow system, following damage or disease, and are able to continue producing mature blood cells. Now commonly recognised as stem cells collected from the peripheral blood.
The transplantation of haematopoietic stem cells which have the ability to form blood. Haematopoietic stem cells provide rapid and sustained reconstitution of blood formation and are found in adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and in foetal liver. These have also been in the news lately as a source of artificial blood avoiding the need for blood donations.
Is the Greek word for mixed. That is, in the context of cells, heterogeneous is a mixed or divergent cell population or cells from diverse sources.
Is derived from the Greek word for similar or uniform.
Cells that are immune from attack by the hosts immune system. Cells that are not immune privileged can cause graft vs host disease, where the body’s own immune system rejects the cells.
The destruction of the patient’s immune system by medication, in order to create a “compartment” (blood space) for new cells to fit into and to minimise rejection risk.
The response of the immune system, sometimes to mesenchymal stem cells, that is characterised by reduction of immune system over-activity and significant improvement of the disease.
Literally, in glass; in a laboratory dish or test tube; an artificial environment outside the body.
or Assisted reproduction. This is a reproductive technique that is used to treat infertility whereby sperm and egg cells (ova) are fertilised in the laboratory and then transplanted into the mothers womb. Many of the extra fertilised eggs from IVF have been used to supply embryonic stem cells. This area is subject to much controversy.
These are stem cells that are created using somatic cell nuclear transfer. These cells act like embryonic stem cells but have not come from the embryo. In many cases they can come from the patients own cells.
The cluster of cells inside the blastocyst. This is a small group of cells attached to the wall of the blastocyst (the embryo at a very early stage of development that looks like a hollow ball). Embryonic stem cells are made by isolating and culturing the cells that make up the inner cell mass. It is the inner cell mass that will eventually give rise to all the organs and tissues of the future embryo and foetus, but do not give rise to the extra-embryonic tissues, such as the placenta.
Middle layer of a group of cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. The middle of three germ layers, it gives rise later in development to such tissues as muscle, bone, and blood.
The process by which a cell duplicates its chromosomes to generate two, identical cells.
Study of the shape and visual appearance of cells, tissues and organs.
Is a disease where the motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord are destroyed causing muscular weakness and eventually death.
This is a multi-focal chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The disease is cause by an autoimmne response. It causes plaque-like lesions of the brain and spinal cord, which can occur anywhere. The most common type, relapsing remitting is the only type that can be treated. There is no cure and can be progressively disabling. It is thought that the earlier a patient receives stem cells for this condition, the better the outcome of the treatment, if there is a response. The more disabled patient will have more nerve damage to repair.
These stem cell have a limited ability to differentiate into many, but not all cell types.
A stem cell found in adult nerve tissue; it can be called neural tissue and relates to the functioning of neurons.
Diseases of the nervous system characterised by gradual and progressive loss of nerve function resulting in increasing disability. These are the diseases most commonly treated with stem cells for example ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s disease.
Belongs to a group of diseases that affects the brainstem and basal ganglia. The cell that produce dopamine in the substantia nigra of the brain stem are destroyed and this causes tremor, rigidity and slowness of movements and impaired balance and coordination. It affects 1% of all people over 55 years of age and is due to degeneration of a portion of the brain called the basal ganglia. Parkinson’s disease has a progressive course which can eventually result in dementia and death. There is treatment for the symptoms of the disease, but no cure with current medical treatments.
A round of cell growth and proliferation in cell culture.
The vascular organ that develops during pregnancy, sticking to the uterine wall and connecting to the fetus by the umbilical cord. Following birth, the placenta is expelled. It contains blood derived from the embryo, i.e. made by the fetus. It is from this blood that most Mesenchymal stem cells are obtained. The placenta does not allow the mother’s cells to enter its circulation, but allows nutrients and oxygen through.
A phenomenon used to describe the cells capability of becoming a specialized cell type of different tissues. For example, when the same stem cell can make both new blood cells and new muscle cells. This is a most important quality of stem cells if they are to be used in therapy as they can be programmed to a particular cell lineage.
Stem cells that can become all the cell types that are found in an implanted embryo, foetus, or developed organism.This term is often used synonomously with totipotent. However these stem cells cannot become extra embryonic cells such as those in the placenta.
A progenitor cell, often confused with stem cell, is an early descendant of a stem cell that can only differentiate, but it cannot renew itself anymore. In contrast, a stem cell can renew itself (make more stem cells by cell division) or it can differentiate (divide and with each cell division evolve more and more into different types of cells). A progenitor cell is often more limited in the kinds of cells it can become than a stem cell. In scientific terms, it is said that progenitor cells are more differentiated than stem cells.
A new branch of medicine that involves cosmetic, natural, physical and biological methods to fight the effects of ageing. This form of medicine often utilizes treatments in which stem cells are induced to differentiate into the specific cell type required for medical interventions that aim to repair and restore damaged organs.
A technique in which the nucleus of a somatic cell (any cell of the body except sperm cells and egg cells) is injected, or transferred, into a blastocyst that has had its nucleus removed. If the new egg is then implanted into the womb of an animal, an individual will be born that is a clone. The clone has the identical genetic material as the somatic cell, which supplied the nucleus that carries the genetic material.
Another name for adult stem cells and all the cells within the developing, or developed, organism with the exception of germline (egg and sperm) cells.
Stem cells by definition must meet two criteria namely asymmetric division and unlimited proliferation.
Non-blood cells derived from blood organs, such as bone marrow or foetal liver, which are capable of supporting growth of blood cells in vitro. Stromal cells that make this matrix within the bone marrow are also derived from mesenchymal stem cells.
A germ cell tumour of pluripotential cells, commonly all three germ layers are visible in the histology of the tumour.These tumours are usually benign ie not cancerous. These tumours can arise from undifferentiated embryonic stem cells.
Somatic cell nuclear transfer for the isolation of embryonic stem cells or commonly called induced Pluripotential Stemcells. These embryonic stem cells are derived from the blastocyst (before it becomes a fetus) and can be instructed to form particular cell types (e.g. heart muscle) to be implanted into damaged tissue (e.g. heart) to restore its function. If the stem cells are placed back into the individual who gave the DNA for the somatic cell nuclear transfer, the embryonic stem cells and their derivatives are genetically identical and thus have immune privilege and are immunocompatible (they will not be rejected).
Term commonly used to describe the use of stem cells in the formation of skin and skin products such as fibroblast grafts for scar healing.
Stem cells that can give rise to all cell types that are found in an embryo, fetus, or developed organism, including the embryonic components of the trophoblast and placenta required to support development and birth.
The zygote and the cells at the very early stages following fertilization (i.e., the 2-cell stage) are considered totipotent.
The ability of a particular cell of one tissue, organ or system, including stem or progenitor cells, to differentiate into a cell type characteristic of another tissue, organ, or system; e.g., blood stem cells changing to liver cells.
Transplantation scientists investigate scientific questions in order to understand why foreign tissues and organs are rejected, the way transplanted organs function in the recipient, how this function can be maintained or improved, and how the organ to be transplanted should be handled to obtain optimal results.
A mass of tissue with no physiological function derived from continous replication of abnormal cells. Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
The flexible cordlike structure connecting a fetus at the abdomen with the placenta and containing two umbilical arteries and one vein that transport nourishment to the fetus and remove its wastes. It contains Wharton’s jelly as well as blood derived from the embryo, i.e. made by the fetus.
Stem cells are present in the blood of the umbilical cord during and shortly after delivery. Stromal cells are isolated from the umbilical cord mesenchymal tissue namely Whartons Jelly. These stem cells are in the blood at the time of delivery, because they move from the liver, where blood-formation takes place during foetal life, to the bone marrow, where blood is made after birth. Umbilical cord stem cells are similar to stem cells that reside in bone marrow, and can be used for the treatment of leukemia, and other diseases of the blood. However recent research has shown that umbilical cord blood cells may be proliferated and induced to differentiate into a wider range of cell types thus treating a greater range of diseases which will respond to these umbilical cord cells. The extraction of umbilical cord cells causes no discomfort or change to the mother or baby and these stem cells are therefore free of any moral restraints.
Stem cells that self-renew as well as give rise to a single mature cell type; e.g., spermatogenic stem cells. It has now been determined that these cells can also differentiate into other types of cells.
Gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord composed of cells that originate from the zygote.
The cell that results from the union of sperm and egg during fertilization. Cell division begins after the zygote forms.
