Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated immature cells, capable of self-renewal (divide without
limit) and differentiation (specialisation). These juvenile cells are abundant in a
developing embryo, their numbers decrease as development progresses. In contrast, an adult
organism contains limited numbers of stem cells, which are confined to remote body
compartments. Stem cells differentiate to become specialised cells and only then, can they
perform a specific function in the body.
At the present time, stem cells can be extracted by isolation from:
- Bone marrow
- Growth factor mobilised peripheral
blood
- Blood extracted from umbilical
cords
- Others, in particular embryos or
aborted foetuses
During their development, stem
cells progressively acquire certain characteristics, which enable them to carry out
specific functions in the body and hence become specialised cells. During tissue injuries
(due to infections, chemical or physical insult) a stem cell embarks on proliferation and
differentiation to replenish damaged cells.
Haematopoietic stem cells give rise to committed, specialised blood cells that defend,
purify and nourish the body. Until now, the consensus has been that this process is one
way only, and that the cells, once committed, cannot revert to their pluripotent state.
TriStem's proprietary technology has shown, ex vivo, that this is not the case. |
