Stem Cell Cheat Sheet
I thought in the midst of all this stem cell excitement in my own life and around the world, I'd give a quick explanation of what's really going on. We’ve all seen what scientists have to say, although most of them have never conducted trials outside their labs, on real patients. Here is the low-down from what I've read and seen, here in India, where they are working right before my eyes.
*Much of this information was extracted from Dr. Geeta Shroff's book, Human Embryonic Stem Cells -- A Revolution in Therapeutics, based on her experience and trials.
I know this will not answer all questions, but hope it will give the basics of the potential for use of stem cells, particularly embryonic. I feel so lucky to be in the storm of all of this, no matter how controversial it is. It's a chance I wish everyone who needed it had.
Why we need stem cells
All human bodies have the ability, to repair and regenerate to varying degrees in various organs. During a person's lifetime, the body is able to maintain a balance and as age advances, the ability becomes dampened. If the body becomes diseased, either by its own malfunction (an autoimmune disease) or viruses, bacteria, etc. (which is often the trigger for an autoimmune disease), this leads to depletion of the body's cells and often incapacitating or incurable conditions. For many common diseases, medication is given to control or Band-Aide the problem, but there is no true solution.
Once stem cells enter a person's body, they are able to supplement the missing or dwindling cells and replace or repair the malfunctioning parts of the body.
What are stem cells? Why are they important?
Stem cells are considered the body's master cells. They can differentiate into any number of types of specialized cells such as muscles, nerves, organs, bone, blood and so on. These properties make stem cells different from the body's other mature cells which are already committed to their already assigned function. For example, a skin cell can only divide and generate new skin cells. So, why are embryonic stem cells so amazing? They are able to become any type of cell because of their "plasticity" (the ability to change permanently, as opposed to elasticity, meaning to change temporarily and then revert back). This makes embryonic stem cells essential for renewing and repairing the body. They are formed at conception and specialize later to become various tissues of the growing embryo. After birth, the body retains the stem cell reserves in various organs. These reserves are finite (limited) and when depleted, the body begins to succumb to disease, disorders and aging. Stem cell therapy offers the potential to replenish the reserves and fight a wide variety of diseases and disorders.
Where do stem cells come from?
There are three major types of stem cells; embryonic, fetal and adult -- which includes cord stem cells. Each comes from different sources and has different properties.
About embryonic stem cells
When a sperm fertilizes an egg, it becomes what is known as a zygote. Many scientists view zygote as the ultimate stem cell because it can develop not only into an embryo, but also the surrounding tissues, such as the placenta. Because the zygote has the highest degree of plasticity (ability to permanently change), it is referred to as "totipotent" stem cell (read more). The zygote begins to divide 30 hours after an ovum is fertilized and by the fifth or sixth day, the cells form a blastocyst. At this point, the stem cells are less plastic and more specialized. Those on the outside develop into the placenta and other tissues that surround the fetus, while those inside, referred to as embryonic stem cells, become the cells of all the fetal organs and tissues. These stem cells can become any of the more than 200 types of cells in the body that are called "pluripotent" (read more). The embryonic stem cells do not show any immune reaction in the body because they do not have any antigenic proteins on their surface. This makes them a great candidate for autoimmune diseases.
What they are doing
-Human embryonic stem cells can divide and grow into any body part. However, in vivo conditions, their division is finite (limited). The cells follow the normal division that is inherent in an embryo. The division slows down after a period of nine months and then the functioning capacity gradually increases as it would in a growing child. Because the stem cells are finite, there are no tumors seen in transplantation. These cells do not have the ability to form a new organ. As far as the progress of embryonic stem cells, it can be said that the complete effect of cells transplanted into a patient is closely linked with the time frame of a human embryo's development. The cells continue their developmental process as per their pre-programmed time frame.
-Because they do not have antigenic properties, there is no immune reaction in the body (like there can be with other types of stem cell transplants) and immunosuppressant drugs are not required. Also, one embryo can be used to any blood type for this reason.
-They have been found to be very effective in autoimmune disorders and silencing the killer cells of the body. Adult stem cells cannot be used for autoimmune diseases because of the possible immune reaction.
-The stem cells have a "homing in" capability (that is the ability of cells to make its way to the affected tissue). They are able to find the damaged or diseased cells to begin repair.
-Stimulation and corrected of the suppressed immune system is very commonly seen. The patients become healthier and suffer fewer bouts of infection. Their body's resistance to infection increases.
-Some conditions that they have shown improvement with are autism, mental retardation, liver diseases/disorders, degenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease/ALS, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, skin disorders, autoimmune disorders (such as lupus), genetic disorders (such as down syndrome), eye disorders, kidney disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, spinal cord injuries, and cardiac disease/disorders.
What makes Dr. Geeta Shroff different?
There are stem cell options around the world. Dr. Geeta Shroff's process is different because she has discovered a technology, which uses ONLY one human embryo to create an infinite number of stem lines, eliminating the ethical issue of destroying embryos for research and treatment. She also has created a pure human product and does not use any animal stem cells such as those found in mice or rats. And, since human embryonic stem cells don't create any immune reaction in the body, this eliminates the need for immunosuppressant drugs.
As far as I'm aware through my own research, Dr. Geeta Shroff is the only person in the world who has conducted successful clinical applications on humans in hundreds of patients suffering from incurable or terminal diseases with no adverse reactions. Dr. Geeta Shroff has filed for a patent in both India and the United States, which covers 126 countries.
Why isn't this available everywhere?
Dr. Geeta Shroff's type of work is governed by the Indian Council of Medical Research, which sets forth guidelines for stem cell research. Basically, under Indian law, doctors may treat incurable and terminally ill patients with novel procedures. Dr. Geeta Shroff is not bound by many of the regulations and politics that other countries have which is why patients are coming from all over the world to give this revolutionary treatment a chance.
*None of this information should be taken as medical advice. Please make sure to read the Healthcare Hacks disclaimer located at the bottom of this page for more information.
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That pretty much answered the questions that I had.
Amy,
I am reading your blog and realize just how much we take for granted. I am all for stem cell research. I am a nurse of 20 years and have seen a lot of things and cried so many times with patients and in private because of the frustration of feeling helpless and not having anything else to offer for cure. I am also amazed at the findings on your tests that they have found a kidney stone and mitral valve issues that was missed here in the U.S. I think countries that use outdated equipment by our standards have doctors that are more oriented to patient signs and symptoms and perhaps rely more on skills than the machines to diagnose the problem. Although we have great healthcare sometimes I think as a nation we depend too much on technology in some aspects.
I admire your spirit and determination. I loved the shtoilet/shower thing. I hope you continue to improve and are home soon with your family. Happy Holidays and here's to a wonderful New Year!!
Leigh
Amy – there are some inaccuracies in your explanation posted on this page. Stem cells can be rejected after transplant just like after kidney or liver transplant. This has to do with a protein complex on every one of your cells called MHC (Major histocompatibility complex). Your MHC molecules differ from those of each of your parents, making even some of your closest relatives imperfect organ donors. Unless you are a perfect match with the donated embryo your body will reject the stem cells without immunosuppressive drugs. I strongly recommend you do your own research on this topic. You can start with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transplant_rejection and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Histocompatibility_Complex. Any immunology textbook will also have a good explanation about this process. Your body is primed to recognize your own cells based on your own unique genetics. Other people have their own unique genetics, making their stem cells incompatible with your body.
Hi Grant,
I thought Amy mentioned this by saying that, "The embryonic stem cells do not show any immune reaction in the body because they do not have any antigenic proteins on their surface. This makes them a great candidate for autoimmune diseases." Emphasis mine.
Thanks,
Don Wood
America's Medical Solutions
Human Embryonic Stem Cells do express lower levels of certain cellular antigens, including MHC. However, these levels go up once the stem cells differentiate into tissue specific cells. I am including a link to the relevant scientific paper from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, as well as the abstract. (Emphasis is added)
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/15/9864
Characterization of the expression of MHC proteins in human embryonic stem cells
Micha Drukker, Gil Katz, Achia Urbachdagger, Maya Schuldiner, Gal Markel, Joseph Itskovitz-Eldor, Benjamin Reubinoff, Ofer Mandelboim, and Nissim Benvenisty
Human embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that may be used in transplantation medicine. These cells can be induced to differentiate into cells from the three embryonic germ layers both in vivo and in vitro. To determine whether human ES cells might be rejected after transplantation, we examined cell surface expression of the MHC proteins in these cells. Our results show very low expression levels of MHC class I (MHC-I) proteins on the surface of human ES cells that moderately increase on in vitro or in vivo differentiation. A dramatic induction of MHC-I proteins was observed when the cells were treated with IFN-gamma but not with IFN-alpha or -beta . However, all three IFNs induced expression of MHC-I proteins in differentiated human ES cells. MHC-II proteins and HLA-G were not expressed on the surface of undifferentiated or differentiated cells. Ligands for natural killer cell receptors were either absent or expressed in very low levels in human ES cells and in their differentiated derivatives. In accordance, natural killer cytotoxic assays demonstrated only limited lysis of both undifferentiated and differentiated cells. To initiate a histocompatibility databank of human ES cells, we have isotyped several of the published ES cell lines for their human leukocyte antigens. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that human ES cells can express high levels of MHC-I proteins and thus may be rejected on transplantation.
I looked at the link you provided. Dr. Johnston is saying that when stem cells are removed from one patient and transplanted back into the SAME patient there is no rejection because the cells are not recognized as foreign:
"When adult stem cells are obtained from the patient, there is no immunological rejection when they are transplanted back into the person."
This is true, because the cells are often your own in adult stem cell transplants (like bone marrow, etc).
He then goes on to hESC:
"Supposedly, this is the case also when ESC are transplanted because these cells have yet to develop an immunological signature that’s viewed as foreign. However, as the embryo develops into a fetus (~8-12 weeks), the cells have matured sufficiently to develop such a signature, and, in turn, possess more rejection potential. Hence, ESCs seem to be ideal transplantation candidates because they combine maximum potential to morph into therapeutically useful tissue with minimal rejection potential."
This assumption is simply not true. See my earlier reply with links to the relevant scientific literature. The MHC proteins are encoded by the genetics of the donor (embryo) and cannot be "morphed" by the recipient (patient) to avoid detection as foreign.
The journal Nature, one of the top scientific journals in the world and the place where Watson and Crick published their discovery of the structure of DNA, has a basic introduction that might interest you:
http://www.nature.com/stemcells/archive/faqs.html
More specifically: http://www.nature.com/stemcells/2007/0706/070614/full/stemcells.2007.26....
the period when cell divide to create new cells is called?
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