An Overview On Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The scientists all over the world are recognizing the benefits of mesenchymal stem cells and so it is necessary for you to have a basic idea about them.

Mesenchymal stem cells are a well-characterized population of adult stem cells. They can differentiate into different cell types such as myocytes, endotheliums, adipocytes, chondrocytes (cells of cartilage), osteoblasts (cells found in bones) and beta-pancreatic islets cells.

Scientists all over the globe have been studying Mesenchymal stem cells in detail to obtain advanced knowledge about the ways of growing these cells in culture. A major benefit of mesenchymal stem cells is that, unlike many other human adult stem cells, they can be obtained in quantities that are appropriate for clinical applications. This prevents the risk of any wastage. Thus, mesenchymal stem cells can be widely used in tissue repair. Scientists have established the techniques for isolation and elaboration of these cells and so they can be safely maintained and propagated in culture for long periods without losing their ability to form the above mentioned cell types.

Culturing Procedure:

Most of the modern culture techniques follow a CFU-f approach of culturing. As per this technique, raw and impure bone marrow or ficoll-purified bone marrow monocytes are plated directly into cell culture flasks of plates.

The procedure of harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from the amniotic fluid is done in two stages that involve culturing human amniocytes and mesenchymal stem cells. To culture human amniocytes, scientists usually arrange primary amniocyte cultures by using standard or routine culture protocol in a cytogenetic laboratory. After that, they collect the non-adherent human amniotic fluids cells in the supernatant medium.

To culture mesenchymal stem cells, the non-adherent cells are centrifugated and then plated using an alpha-modified Minimum Essential Medium that is supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Thereafter, incubation is done with the help of humidified carbon dioxide to facilitate the growth of mesenchymal stem cells.

An important fact to note is that the Mesenchymal stem cells hold an edge over other stem cells in following ways:

1. Mesenchymal stem cells are immuno-privileged. This makes them a very potent option for allogenic transplantation, as they not only reduce the possibility of cell rejection, but also complications involved in the transplantation procedure.

2. Unlike fetal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, their obtainment does not require destruction of blastocyst or fetus. Thus, do not have any ethical issues surrounding them.

3. Autologous mesenchymal stem cells are increasingly used world over, to regenerate human tissues such as tendons, cartilage and meniscus and bone fractures.

4. Also, it is possible for the doctors to activate and mobilize the mesenchymal stem cells, as and when required. Fractured bones or muscles may take a lot of time to heal, and you may have to miss your work priorities. Mesenchymal stem cells are multi-potent and are capable of differentiating into bone. They have a therapeutic potential in patients having fractures, and facilitate the healing process.  So, if you experience a fracture in any part of your body, you now know what is the best treatment for you.

A major advantage of mesenchymal stem cells lies in their application in bone marrow engraftment. So, if you have suffered from an injury and have injured your spinal cord, you need not worry as mesenchymal stem cells will help you walk again.

To get more information about mesenchymal stem cells, log on to http://stemcells.nih.gov/, http://www.isscr.org/ and http://www.stemcellresources.org/.

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