Regenerative Medicine is an up and coming field, which involves the process of using cells from different sources or artifical cells to repair and restore normal function to the body. Stem cells have become a huge part of this, as they give the ability to use natural cells instead of artifical replacements. Stem cells can be derived from many sources, but there is often a question of which source is the best option.
There are three types of stem cells being most commnoly used today; Meschanyal cells from bone marrow, adult stem cells from tissues and organs, and embrynoic stem cells. Adult stem cells from tissues and organs, are not very efficient, since they are available in very limited amounts.
Embryonic stem cells, while are more efficient, are very controversial, since it would involve using a living embryo. Currently, meschanyal cells derived from bone marrow are the most common type of stem cells used. Although these stem cells have demeded helpful in treating many cancers, the process of removing them is very painful and there is a limited amount of stem cells that can be derived.
Recently though, there has been research into a new type of stem cells to be used; stem cells derived from the placenta. The placenta is a protective layer that develops around the fetus during pregnancy. After birth, it is disposed of by the body. Due to the placenta being in part comprised of fetal tissue, it can allow for treatment to the fetus in virto. The placenta is a major source of stem cells, with many different types. The three main types that may be used are; Animyotic Epithelial stem cells, Hematopoietic stem cells, and Trophoblast stem cells.
Animyotic Epithelial stem cells are cells derived from the placenta’s amniotic membrance. They are strong candidates from potential stem cell therapiesdue to the fact that they are similar to embryonic stem cells and that they can
differentiate into all types of cells. It is important that these cells can differentiate into all types of cells because that means that they can be used in any application in the body.
Hematopoietic stem cells are cells that are usually derived from bone marrow in adults. It has been recently found that the placenta has hematopoietic properties, and stem cells derived from it can be used as Hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are very important, as they can be used to generate cells in blood and the immune system. By being able to derive them from the placenta, they are more available, and the procedure is less inavasive.
Finally, Trophoblast stem cells are cells that are unique to the placenta. They develop early after fertilization, and have been mainly studied for their insight on developmental processes. Trophoblast stem cells have been recently found to develop into neural stem cells. There is still much research needed to confirm if Trophoblast stem cells may be an efficient source of stem cells in the future.
In conclusion, the placenta is vital to the future of stem cells research and regernative medicine. There still needs to be more research conducted to confirm the use of the placenta as a stem cell source, but from what is known, the future looks promising. Hopefully, by using placenta based stem cells, there will be more treatment options for diseases and less invasive procedures needed. The use of placenta in stem cell research is the future of medicine.
Meierhenry, Jason A., et al. “Placenta as a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine.” Current Pathobiology Reports 3.1 (2015): 9–16.
Di Germanio, C., Bernier, M., De Cabo, R., & Barboni, B. (2016, November 02). Amniotic Epithelial Cells: A New Tool to Combat Aging and Age-Related Diseases? Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2016.00135/full
Embryonic Stem Cells. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/Regenerative_Medicine/2006Chapter1.htm
