Factsheet
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Factsheet1–WhatareStemCells? Page3
In the growing body, stem cells are responsible for generating new tissues, and once growth is complete, stem
cells are responsible for repair and regeneration of damaged and ageing tissues.
Stem cells can be divided into two broad groups: adult stem cells (also known as tissue specific stem cells) and
pluripotent stem cells (including embryonic stem cells and iPS cells). Adult stem cells are derived from, or
resident in, adult tissues, and can usually only give rise to the cells of that tissue. Thus they are considered
multipotent. Embryonic stem cells, derived from a small group of cells in the early embryo (5‐7 days), are
undifferentiated and are considered pluripotent as they can become every type of cell in the body apart from
the placenta. Recently, scientists discovered that a mature fully specialised cell, for example a human skin cell,
could be induced in the right conditions to mimic the characteristics of an embryonic stem cell. These are
known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells).
Whyarestemcellssodifferent?Stem cells are different from other cells in the body in three main ways:
1. Stem cells are unspecialised. They have not developed into cells that perform a specific function.
2. Stem cells can differentiate. This means they can divide and produce cells that have the potential to
become other more specific cell types, tissues or organs. These new cells and tissues are used to repair or
replace damaged or diseased cells in the body. Once cells have differentiated, they have less capacity to form
multiple different cell types, and become ‘committed’ to becoming a particular cell type. Skin stem cells, for
example, give rise to new skin cells when needed, to assist regeneration after damage and as part of the
normal ageing process.
3. Stem cells are capable of self‐renewal. Stem cells are able to divide and produce copies of themselves
which leads to self‐renewal. Once a cell has become specialised (has differentiated) to a particular tissue or
organ, it has a very limited capacity to selfrenew (produce new stem cells) but instead produces only cells
relevant to that organ.
Factsheet2–TypesofStemCells Page4
FactSheet2–TypesofStemCellsThe body is made up of about 200 different kinds of specialised cells such as muscle cells, nerve cells, fat cells
and skin cells. All specialised cells originate from stem cells. A stem cell is a cell that is not yet specialised. The
process of specialisation is called differentiation and once the differentiation pathway of a stem cell has been
decided, it can no longer become another type of cell. A stem cell that can become every type of cell in the
body is called pluripotent whilst a stem cell that can become only some types of cells is called multipotent.
Stem cells are found in the early embryo, the foetus, placenta, umbilical cord, and in many different tissues of
the adult body.
Stem cells are often divided into two groups: Adult Stem Cells (also referred to as tissue specific stem cells) and pluripotent stem cells (including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells). Tissue specific stem cells are derived from, or resident in, fetal or adult tissue, and can usually only give rise to the cells of that tissue, thus they are considered multipotent. Embryonic stem cells, derived from a small group of cells within the very early embryo, and their new counterpart induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are considered pluripotent as they can become every type of cell in the body.
AdultStemCellsAdult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found in the tissues and organs of the body. They are capable of
self‐renewal. Their differentiation is mainly restricted to forming the cell types of that tissue or organ. The
chief role of tissue specific stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Skin stem
cells, for example, give rise to new skin cells, ensuring that old or damaged skin cells are replenished.
It now appears that all tissues probably contain adult stem cells. Most tissues contain only tiny numbers of
stem cells. The exception is bone marrow and umbilical cord blood which contains relatively high numbers of
stem cells. In each tissue, adult stem cells are used to produce new mature cells as old ones die in the natural
processes of ageing. They may also be activated by disease or injury. Due to their small numbers isolation of
adult stem cells is difficult but they have been successfully isolated from the brain, bone marrow, blood,
muscle, skin, lung, pancreas and liver. To date the majority of research has been carried out on
haematopoietic stem cells isolated from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood and on mesenchymal stem
cells which can also be sourced from the bone marrow and some other tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells are
the stem cells that form our fat, muscle, bone and cartilage and they can also differentiate into nerve cells.
Haematopoieticstemcells are the stem cells from which all blood cells and many of the cells of our
adult immune system are derived. These are the stem cells with the longest history of clinical use in treating
disorders such as leukaemia via bone marrow transplants. There has recently been much interest in whether
haematopoietic stem cells can be caused to differentiate into non blood cells, such as heart muscle cells or
even nerve cells.
Mesenchymalstemcells can be found in the bone marrow but are also found in several other sites in
the body such as the placenta. Mesenchymal stem cells are particularly interesting to researchers because in
addition to their capacity to differentiate into the multiple cell types listed above, they also have anti‐
inflammatory and immune‐suppressing properties. This means that mesenchymal stem cells could be useful
as therapies for diseases caused by immune attack on specific tissues.
Umbilicalcordbloodstemcells are a type of tissue specific stem cell. Blood can be collected from the
umbilical cord of a newborn baby shortly after birth. This blood is rich in haematopoietic stem cells that can
be used to generate blood cells and cells of the immune system. Cord blood stem cells may be used to treat a
Factsheet
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Factsheet3–UmbilicalCordBloodStemCells Page8
the sibling, but which matches the sibling's genetic make up. The donor baby in this case is sometimes
referred to as a 'savior sibling'.
The first 'saviour sibling' to be born in the UK was in 2010. A Norfolk couple this technology to have a second
child who was free of a genetic condition. Cord blood from this child was used to treat the affected sibling. As
a result of this selection process carried out at an IVF clinic, the woman started her pregnancy knowing that
her baby was free of genetic conditions and would be a potential tissue donor for her existing daughter.
More information here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health‐12055034
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Factsheet4–InducedPluripotentStemCells(iPSCells) Page10
disease specific stem cells may improve our understanding of certain diseases, and assist in the development
and testing of new drugs.
iPS cell research also has the potential to produce patient specific, genetically identical, stem cells that would
would be recognised as self by the patient’s immune system and not rejected
WilliPScellsreplacetheneedforhumanembryonicstemcells? The discovery of iPS cells has been celebrated among scientists, ethicists and politicians alike and one day
may potentially eliminate the need for embryos in stem cell research or therapy.
However much is still unknown about these cells and more research needs to be done into iPS cells to
discover if they will offer the same research value as embryonic stem cells and if they will be as useful for
therapy.
Safety is the major concern at this point as the cells are made using various genetic engineering technologies
making them unsuitable for use in humans. However, much progress is being made towards safer mechanisms
to make iPS cells. Like embryonic stem cells, iPS cells can form every cell in the body including cancerous cells.
Therefore the same stringent requirements on ensuring that cells are fully differentiated before being used in
a therapy would apply to iPS cells and hESCs.
StemCe
ellTimeline Page11
TypesofStemCells Page12
Typesofstemcells‐jumbledtaskThe following table outlines the types of different stem cells and provides information about each one. The
only problem is that the information is all jumbled up. Cut out the row and column headings and paste them
into your workbook. Next, cut out each information cell and place it under the correct column and in the
correct stem cell row. Arrange the cells in your book first and check your work before you paste them down.
Type of stem cell Where do they come from>
The cells they are able to make
Scientific advantages of these stem cells
Drawbacks of these stem cells
A) Pluripotent stem cells
E.g. embryonic stem cells (ESC), induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) stem cell
B) Due to the pluripotent nature they also carry a risk of cancer if not treated properly before transferred to a patient. As ESCs are not patient specific treatments using them may trigger rejection by the patient’s immune system.
C) Usually only the type of cells or tissue that it is derived from
D) Small numbers found in tissue, difficult to locate. Usually only generates the cell types of the tissue in which they are found. With the exception of cord blood and bone marrow only small numbers are found in tissue, difficult to locate. Only generate the cell types of the tissue in which they are found. Usually difficult to grow outside the body in large numbers.
E) Any cell in the body
F) Multipotent adult stem cells
E.g. cord blood cells, adult stem cells such as skin stem cells, muscle stem cells
G) Can be grown in large quantities in the laboratory. Can be manipulated to grow into different cell types in the laboratory. iPS and SCNT – these cells are an identical match to the somatic cell donor and can be used to study disease and avoid immune rejection
H) They are capable of limited selfrenewal. Use in research is less controversial. No tissue rejection if cells derived from the patient.
I) ESC – Derived from human blastocysts (early stage embryos) about 5–7 days old. iPS cells – derived from reprogrammed somatic cells, such as a skin cell. SCNT stem cells – derived from cloned blastocyst made from a reprogrammed somatic cell and enucleated eg
J) Undifferentiated cells found in tissues and organs
TypesofStemCells Page13
Evaluationquestions1. Based on the information you found, which stem cells do you think are the most versatile? Explain why.
2. In your opinion, which stem cell type has the most drawbacks associated with its use in the scientific field?
Explain why.
3. In regards to how stem cells are obtained, explain which stem cell type you would feel most comfortable
using if you required the assistance of stem cells to cure a disease
Findoutmore Page14
FindoutmoreDisease
Who are affected
What cures/ treatment can we offer today?
How do scientists think stem cells might help
What type of stem cell and why?
How do they hope to use the stem cells?
When do they think they will be able to offer a treatment/cure?
What problems do they scientists have to overcome?
Findoutmore Page15
FactorFictionFor each statement state wheter it is ‘fact’ or ‘fiction’. For each statement briefly explain the scieince. If it is
fiction, briefly explain why:
Statement Fact of fiction? Explain 1. Stem cells can give rise to every cell in the
body.
2. All stem cell reearch destoys embryos
3. A pluripotent stem cell can give rise to every cell in the body, excpt for placental cells.
4. Tissue stem cells come only from adults
5. IVF embryos cannot be made just to produce stem cells.
6. Spare organs can be grown in a dish
CommonAcronymsandGlossary Page16
CommonacronymsandglossaryART Assisted reporductive technology ICM Inner cell mass ASC Adult Stem cell IVF In Vitro Fertilisation CIRM California Institute for Regenerative
Medicine hESC Human embryonic stem cell
EMA European Medicine Agency iPS Induced Pluripotent Stem ESC Embryonic Stem Cell MHC Major histocompability complex FDA Food & Drug Administration MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory agency GvHD Graft vs host disease MSC Mesenchymal stem cells HLA Human leukocyte antigen NIH National Institutes of Health
Adult stem cell (also known as tissue stem cell) means undifferentiated cells found in the tissues and organs
of the body. They are capable of self‐renewal. Their differentiation is mainly restricted to forming the cell
types of that tissue or organ. The chief role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which
they are found.
Allogeneic transplantation is a cell, tissue or organ transplant from one individual to a genetically different
person.
Autologous transplantation is a cell, tissue or organ transplant from one individual back into the same
individual. Such transplants are often performed with blood products or bone marrow and do not induce an
immune response and are not rejected.
Blastocyst is an early stage embryo about 5–7 days post fertilisation containing about 150 cells and is the size
of a pinhead. A blastocyst consists of two types of cells: the inner cell mass cells, from which embryonic stem
cells are derived and which gives rise to all the organs and tissues of a future embryo and foetus; and the
trophoblast which forms a portion of the placenta.
Cell based therapy is a treatment that involves stem cells being induced to differentiate, or develop, into
specific cell types required to repair or rebuild depleted cell populations or tissues.
Cellular differentiation is when an unspecialised cell becomes specialised into a specific cell type.
Cell division is the process by which one cell divides into two cells, thereby increasing the cell population.
Differentiation is the process whereby an unspecialised (undifferentiated) cell develops into specialised cells
such as those in the liver, brain or heart.
Efficacy is the capacity to produce an effect.
Embryo is the conceptus developed from the fertilized egg (zygote) until it becomes a foetus, which in the
human, is approximately eight weeks later.
Embryonic stem cells come from a 5–7 day old blastocyst (early embryo). They have the ability to form
virtually any type of cell found in the human body, but are not capable of developing into a whole new
organism.
Ethics Committees review all aspects of a proposed research project and determine whether the proposed
research is ethical. Research involving animals, humans or human tissue require ethics approval. If the
Committee do not think it is ethical, they can stop the scientist from performing his or her research.
CommonAcronymsandGlossary Page17
Foetus is the conceptus that follows the embryo stage and develops till birth and displays the characteristics
of the adult species.
Graft vs host disease (GvHD) is a complication that can occur after a bone marrow transplant in which the
newly transplanted material attacks the transplant recipient’s body.
Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) is a type of cell that make blood cells, it is the parent cell or ‘precursor’ of
mature blood cells and are found in adult bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and foetal
liver.
HTLV-1 – Human T‐Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV‐1) is a human RNA retrovirus that causes T‐cell
leukaemia and T‐cell lymphoma in adults and may also be involved in certain demyelinating diseases,
including tropical spastic paraparesis.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are derived from mature/differentiated cells of the body by
reprogramming through genetic manipulation, to which resemble the pluripotent embryonic stem cells. The
reprogramming technology is changing rapidly.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF), achieved outside the body, is an assisted reproduction technique where the egg
cell and the sperm cells are brought together in a dish (i.e. in vitro), so that the sperm can fertilise the egg. The
fertilised egg, a zygote, will form the embryo which can then be implanted into the womb for establishing
pregnancy.
Mesenchymal stem cell is a type of adult stem cell found in several tissues of the body including bone
marrow and the placenta which can give rise to a number of tissue types such as bone, cartilage, fat tissue,
and connective tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells have shown promise for treatment for a number of diseases.
Multipotent is the potential of an individual stem cell to develop into a restricted number of (but not all)
types of cells. Adult stem cells are examples of multipotent stem cells.
Peer review is the process of subjecting an author’s scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of
others who are experts in the same field.
Pluripotent is the ability of the stem cell to develop into many types of cells in the body. ES and iPS cells are
examples of pluripotent stem cells.
Precursor cell is a cell that gives rise to other cells. A precursor cell is less specialised than other cells. If a
painting was a specialised cell, the precursor cell would be the canvas.
Progenitor cell is a transitional form of stem cell that can differentiate, but can no longer renew itself.
Progenitor cells are restricted to the generation of a few types of specialised cells.
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) refers to the removal of a nucleus, which contains the genetic
material or DNA, from virtually any cell of the body and its transfer by injection into an unfertilised egg
(oocyte) from which the nucleus has also been removed. The newly reconstituted egg is then stimulated to
start dividing. After 5–7 days in culture, embryonic stem cells can then be removed. These embryonic stem
cell lines are genetically identical to the cell from which the DNA was originally removed. To date, SCNT has
not been used to create a human embryonic stem cell line.
Stem cell is an unspecialised/undifferentiated cell with the ability to renew indefinitely and to produce
specialised cell types in the body.
CommonAcronymsandGlossary Page18
Stem cell line refers to stem cells that have been established and propagated in culture and maintained
consistent characteristics and potential.
Stem cell tourism/medical tourism is when a patient chooses to seek treatment in another country, either
for cost or availability reasons. Virtually every type of health care, including plastic surgery, orthopaedic
surgery, reproductive treatments, psychiatry, alternative treatments, convalescent care and dentistry are
available. Some medical travel is simply a means of getting access to a widely accepted treatment at a cheaper
price, or for unproven treatments generally not offered in a patient’s home country. Many patients opting for
these treatments do so because they feel they have no other alternative treatments available.
Tissue stem cell (also known as adult stem cell) means undifferentiated cells found in the tissues and
organs of the body. They are capable of self‐renewal. Their differentiation is mainly restricted to forming the
cell types of that tissue or organ. The chief role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which
they are found.
Totipotent refers to the cells within a 1–4 day embryo. Each cell of an embryo at this stage can theoretically
make a whole new individual.
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