Types of Stem Cells - Regen - Regenerative Medicine

What are the Different Types of Stem Cells? What We Use: Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

At Regen, we specialize in using Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), though other types include embryonic stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells and much more. There are also other methods such as platelet transfusions and hormone boosters. However, internal and global research have led us to focusing on just one specific type of stem cell—the Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC). To date, over 1,000 clinical trials have been conducted for MSCs and they have proven to be safe yet highly effective.

What are MSCs?

MSCs are a type of adult stem cell and are multipotent, which means that they have the ability to generate a limited number of specialized cell types, though not all types. In particular, they most commonly develop into cartilage cells, bone cells, fibrous connective tissue, cells that support the formation of blood, and fat cells (though research also suggests that they can also differentiate into cells that do not belong to the skeletal tissues, such as nerve cells, heart muscle cells and liver cells).

Where Do MSCs Come From?

MSCs are derived from 3 main sources: the bone marrow, adipose fat tissue and umbilical cord tissue. At Regen, we utilize donated umbilical cords and obtain stem cells from bone marrow and adipose fat tissue from patients and suitable donors alike. All stem cells are carefully processed and stored in line with global industry standards that do not compromise on quality.

What Can MSCs Treat?

Anti-Aging & Rejuvenation

Past the age of 50, our natural stem cell reserve begin to deteriorate in terms of quality and numbers. The introduction of MSCs will allow the body to repair and maintain normal functions throughout the body. Benefits include improvements in metabolism, strength, cognitive function, quality of sleep and the skin; all of which make patients feel and look younger and more refreshed again.

Orthopaedics

MSCs have been proven to be extremely effective at joint repair. Stem cell therapy can be used in cases like worn-down cartilage of the knee caps, eventually growing the cartilage tissue back over a period of 3 months.Other conditions which can be effectively treated with MSCs include meniscal, shoulder and hip injuries.

Disease and Illness

MSC therapy has been proven to cure a variety of typically hard-to-treat medical conditions. They include liver cirrhosis, fibrotic lungs, cerebral palsy, kidney failure, osteoarthritis and more.

How is Stem Cell Potency Classified?

Cell potency is defined by how well the particular stem cell can differentiate into other specialized cells.

Totipotent Stem Cells

These stem cells have the ability to give rise to any specialized cell of the body, including that of an embryo and the placenta. These can only be found in a zygote—the early cells of a fertilized egg. While they are the most potent and easy to isolate and grow, they are also riddled with ethical concerns.

Pluripotent Stem Cells

These stem cells can give rise to many cell types of the body, excluding the placenta. These can only be found in embryonic stem cells—the inner cells of a blastocyst. While they are very potent and easy to isolate and grow, they are also riddled with ethical concerns.

Multipotent Stem Cells

These stem cells can develop into a limited number of cell types. These are adult stem cells that can be found in many tissues in the body. MSCs are multipotent.While these are harder to isolate and grow, and have a limited ability to differentiate, the concerns of ethics and immune rejection (if taken from the patient) are much less.

It is important to note that although adult stem cells (including MSCs) have less potency than embryonic stem cells, Regen and the larger scientific community believe that that due to concerns of ethics and risks of rejection, adult stem cells are still the recommended way to go.

To that end, scientists are committed to intensive stem cell research and are continuously discovering more sources of adult stem cells and their potential to differentiate. For instance, recent research has shown that multipotent stem cells from one type of tissue (blood) can actually have the ability to develop into a specialized cell from a different tissue, such as nerve cells. All of this continues to greatly expand the possibilities of stem cell therapy through the most ethical and safest way without compromising on efficacy and quality.

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