Embryonic stem cells hold tremendous potential in the treatment of disease. Howe
ID: 260644 • Letter: E
Question
Embryonic stem cells hold tremendous potential in the treatment of disease. However, significant bioethical concerns and the potential for immune rejection have limited their use. Currently, the field utilizes populations of adult stem cells to treat many forms of cancer. Additionally, researchers have recently discovered how to reprogram differentiated cells into stem cells – called induced pluripotent stem cells. Such technology offers us new possibilities in the treatment of a bevy of diseases.
Part 1: Understanding stem cells
What is the difference between embryonic and adult stem cells?
Identify two locations in the body where we you find adult stem cells.
How are induced pluripotent stem cells made?
Explain how the use of induced pluripotent stem cells could overcome problems associated with graft-versus-host disease.
Explanation / Answer
Answer 1: -
Pluripotent stem cells can be exploited to treat a lot of blood and immune-system related genetic diseases, cancers and disorders such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, blindness and spinal cord injuries.
The fate of an adult stem cell is defined. We can only make muscle cells from adult stem cells found in muscle
Answer 2: - Adult stem cells exist throughout the body after initial embryonic development and can be found in various tissues such as the skeletal muscles, brain, blood vessels, blood, bone marrow, skin, and the liver.
Answer 3: - Induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSC's are the adult cells that have been genetically reconstructed to an embryonic stem cell-like state by being enforced to express genes critical for keeping up the characterizing properties of embryonic stem cells. These cells can be generated from adult somatic cells such as skin fibroblasts or peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Shinya Yamanaka produced the first iPSC's cells from a mouse embryonic fibroblasts.
Answer 4: - The use of the induced pluripotent stem cells could overcome problems associated with graft-versus-host disease because in this technique a patient's own cells are identified, isolated, grown and transplanted back into the patient and the recipient's immune system does not reject the cells because they are compatible with their own cells.
Adult Stem Cells Embryonic Stem Cells These are undifferentiated cells that are found throughout the body after development. These cells multiply by cell division to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues. These are the stem cells derived from the undifferentiated inner mass cells of a human embryo. These are also known as Somatic stem cells, Multipotent stem cells These are also known as pluripotent stem cells. Which means that they have the ability to differentiate into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. They are derived from the adult tissue They are derived from a 5-day old embryo They have potential to expedite the tissue healing process in case of a wound and can also be used for potentially regenerating an entire organ from a few cells.Pluripotent stem cells can be exploited to treat a lot of blood and immune-system related genetic diseases, cancers and disorders such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's, blindness and spinal cord injuries.
The fate of an adult stem cell is defined. We can only make muscle cells from adult stem cells found in muscle
Embryonic stem cells, as they are called, have the potential to develop into any organ.Related Questions
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