Stem cells are a very unique type of cell found in the body. According to the National Institutes of Health, stem cells are different from other cells in the following two distinct ways. These cells are unspecialized cells that can regenerate though cell division even after they have been inactive for a long time. In addition, they can be manipulated into becoming a different type of cell that might usually be found in a certain organ or tissue.
The three main types of stem cells that have been the focus of scientific research are embryonic stem cells, somatic or adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Embryonic and somatic stem cells are found naturally in the body, but iPSCs were first created in 2006 by manipulating specialized adult cells. Scientists are hard at work trying to find new ways for stem cells to treat conditions with the help of stem cells in what is termed reparative or regenerative medicine. In fact, according to WebMD, scientists have used stem cell therapy since the late 1990’s to treat various diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, and other conditions.
There are several things for researchers to consider when developing new techniques for treatments with stem cells. In order for these cells to be used in treating a myriad of diseases, scientists need to determine the best way to change stem cells so that they successfully become the desired type of cell. The cells must also be able to multiply extensively so that enough tissue is generated. In addition, these cells must be able to not only survive in the patient after the transplant has been made, but they must be able to integrate into the surrounding tissue. Scientists are currently working on ways to ensure that the body does not reject the new tissue. For the treatment to be truly effective, the stem cells should work as intended indefinitely. Most importantly, though, stem cells should never bring harm to the patient.
LifeNews.com reports that a 52 year old woman was successfully treated for rheumatoid arthritis in 2004. This patient had arthritis in 28 joints and she was healed with stem cells that were received from her sibling.
It was reported in 2006 by FoxNews.com that damage from arthritis was repaired in mice with the help of stem cells. The stem cells were able to increase the production of BMP-4, which is a protein that builds bone. This helped to heal the knees of the affected mice in the study. While this study did not involve human participants, scientists are hopeful that this research will help to guide new treatments designed for people.
Medistem and the Stem Cell Institute announced in 2010 that they were able to make progress with using stem cells from a patient’s own fat to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Medistem scientists worked with others at the University of California San Diego, the University of Western Ontario, and Vet-Stem Inc. to develop the concept for this research that manipulated the fat cells of a patient with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. Medistem’s publication states that an American woman 67 years of age was able to recover from rheumatoid arthritis after receiving intravenous treatment from adult stem cells. The CEO of Vet-Stem commented that they had already been treating companion animals that suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for several years. Medistem has also previously conducted research pertaining to T regulatory cells which help to control autoimmunity in the body.
Stem cell research may be controversial, but treatment with these unique cells may be the key to helping patients with many painful and debilitating conditions.
