The following is a concise review of the differences between pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, as well as the specific benefits each presents. To begin with pluripotent stem cells are commonly referred to as “true” varieties of these cells. Which is due to the fact that they have the capability to develop into virtually any kind of cell types found within the body.
That is when isolated from an embryo and subjected to ideal conditions. However, after the embryonic developmental phase is completed, these stem cells lose their unlimited potential of developing into other cell types. Pluripotent stem cells have also been established to be not able to form tissues that are critical in fetal development.
But can usually develop into other specialized cell types such as those found in the heart and nerves.
What are the benefits of pluripotent stem cells?
Pluripotent stem cells offer a remarkable opportunity for the medical sphere to access renewable sources of healthy cells and tissues. Which can be effectually utilized to treat a wide variety of medical ailments like diabetes or even heart disease. They can also be invaluable in treating burn victims that may have autoimmune conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
These 2 benefits in essence are brought about by the potential of these stem cells to develop into diverse types of cells within the body such as heart, blood, muscle and nerves cells. Pluripotent stem cells can also come in handy in transplants as they can evolve into specialized cells that can be used to swap ailing cells and tissues.
Challenges presented in pluripotent stem cells usage
In spite of these attributes, there are certain issues that can present challenges to the usage of these stem cells. Such as the fact that a patient’s immune system can reject them. As well as the fact that pluripotent stem cells are extracted from embryo and fetus, which has often raised ethical concerns.
What are multipotent stem cells?
Multipotent stem cells, like their pluripotent counterparts, are unspecialized, but lack the unlimited potential to differentiate into diverse cell types. They also happen to be in fewer numbers than the latter. Some excellent examples of these stem cells include those found in the brain that can develop into several different neural cells.
Or even haemotopietic cells, which can give rise to different blood cell types. The bone marrow also has multipotent stem cells that carry the potential of transforming into all blood cell types. It is also thought that virtually all tissues found in adult mammals have these variety of stem cells, whose function is to replace diseased or aged cells.
What are the benefits of multipotent stem cells?
Multipotent stem cells can come in handy in transplants as they can be extracted from an individual, developed into specific cells types and then transplanted back into the same person. This naturally eliminates the autoimulogical challenges that can plague pluripotent stem cells usage. They also sidestep the ethical concerns of extracting cells from embryos and fetuses.
Finally, researchers have now been able to isolate neural cells of this kind form adult and fetus brain tissue that can be developed in new nerve cells. This presents a lot of potential in making treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries more effective.
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