Daibetes and Stem Cells Treatment...!!

FIG 1: Development of Insulin-Secreting Pancreatic-Like Cells From Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.Mouse embryonic stem cells were derived from the inner cell mass of the early embryo (blastocyst) and cultured under specific conditions. The embryonic stem cells (in blue) were then expanded and differentiated. Cells with markers consistent with islet cells were selected for further differentiation and characterization. When these cells (in purple) were grown in culture, they spontaneously formed three-dimentional clusters similar in structure to normal pancreatic islets. The cells produced and secreted insulin. As depicted in the chart, the pancreatic islet-like cells showed an increase in release of insulin as the glucose concentration of the culture media was increased. When the pancreatic islet-like cells were implanted in the shoulder of diabetic mice, the cells became vascularized, synthesized insulin, and maintained physical characteristics similar to pancreatic islets.


Daibetes and Stem Cells Treatment::

Diabetes is actually a group of diseases characterized by abnormally high levels of the sugar glucose in the bloodstream. This excess glucose is responsible for most of the complications of diabetes, which include blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, and amputations. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, typically affects children and young adults. Diabetes develops when the body's immune system sees its own cells as foreign and attacks and destroys them. As a result, the islet cells of the pancreas, which normally produce insulin, are destroyed. In the absence of insulin, glucose cannot enter the cell and glucose accumulates in the blood. Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes, tends to affect older, sedentary, and overweight individuals with a family history of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot use insulin effectively. This is called insulin resistance and the result is the same as with type 1 diabetes—a build up of glucose in the blood

Development of Cell-Based Therapies for DiabeteS:


There is currently no cure for diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin several times a day and test their blood glucose concentration three to four times a day throughout their entire lives. People with type 2 diabetes can often control their blood glucose concentrations through a combination of diet, exercise, and oral medication.

In developing a potential therapy for patients with diabetes, researchers hope to develop a system that meets several criteria. Ideally, stem cells should be able to multiply in culture and reproduce themselves exactly. That is, the cells should be self-renewing.Stem cells should also be able to differentiate in vivo to produce the desired kind of cell. For diabetes therapy, it is not clear whether it will be desirable to produce only beta cells—the islet cells that manufacture insulin—or whether other types of pancreatic islet cells are also necessary.
Recent studies in mice show that embryonic stem cells can be coaxed into differentiating into insulin-producing beta cells, and new reports indicate that this strategy may be possible using human embryonic cells as well.

In theory, embryonic stem cells could be cultivated and coaxed into developing into the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas. With a ready supply of cultured stem cells at hand, the theory is that a line of embryonic stem cells could be grown up as needed for anyone requiring a transplant. The cells could be engineered to avoid immune rejection. Before transplantation, they could be placed into nonimmunogenic material so that they would not be rejected and the patient would avoid the devastating effects of immunosuppressant drugs. There is also some evidence that differentiated cells derived from embryonic stem cells might be less likely to cause immune rejection (see Chapter 10. Assessing Human Stem Cell Safety). Although having a replenishable supply of insulin-producing cells for transplant into humans may be a long way off, researchers have been making remarkable progress in their quest for it.


PGI Chandigarh and Daibetes type-2 treatment::

In a path-breaking research, PGI doctors have reportedly found a very effective solution for diabetes type 2 through stem cell transplantation technique.
In this technique, bone marrow is taken from the hip bone of the patient. The stem cells are isolated from the bone marrow after the purification process in a laboratory. An injection of stem cell is prepared which is injected into the blood vessel of the patient that supplies blood to the pancreas, the organ producing insulin.
After the injection is given to the patient he is monitored for the affect of the therapy for around six months. This therapy is preferred over the current treatment to rejuvenate the beta cell mass while the islet transplantation is losing the favour because of non-availability of cadaver pancreas and loss of functional mass after sometime.

Contact detail of PGIMER, Chandigarh:

Dr. Meenu Singh
Officer-Incharge Website
PGIMER,Sector-12, Chandigarh,Pin- 160 012, India
Phone: EPBAX: 0091-172-2746018 ,2756565,2747585, Fax: 0091-172-2744401, 2745078
Email: pgimer-chd@nic.in

Neurodegenrative Diseases and Stem Cells Therapy: "Alzheimer's Disease"

Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes.

Alzheimer's Disease and Stem Cell Therapy:

Alzheimer's disease is characterised by loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. This loss results in gross atrophy of the affected regions, including degeneration in the temporal lobe and parietal lobe, and parts of the frontal cortex and cingulate gyrus
Alzheimer's disease has been identified as a protein misfolding disease (proteopathy), caused by accumulation of abnormally folded A-beta and tau proteins in the brain. Plaques are made up of small peptides, 39–43 amino acids in length, called beta-amyloid (also written as A-beta or Aβ). Beta-amyloid is a fragment from a larger protein called amyloid precursor protein (APP), a transmembrane protein that penetrates through the neuron's membrane. APP is critical to neuron growth, survival and post-injury repair. In Alzheimer's disease, an unknown process causes APP to be divided into smaller fragments by enzymes through proteolysis.One of these fragments gives rise to fibrils of beta-amyloid, which form clumps that deposit outside neurons in dense formations known as senile plaques.

• Stem cell research does offer hope for a number of diseases including Alzheimer's. Treatment success will depend on a number of factors, among them:
• The ability to understand more about normal cell development
• The ability to correct errors and damage to diseased and abnormal cells
• The ability to understand the process by which stem cells transform into other cell types
• The ability to make sure any stem cell treatments are safe
We have to find out the cause and processes by which Alzheimer's affects the brain and neurological system. At present the cause and progress of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood. Whether stem cell treatment will be able to target Alzheimer's primary cause or if, (and more difficult) it can treat more global disease with a more diffuse pattern of damage is the unknown factor in treating Alzheimer's

Neurodegenrative Diseases and Stem Cells Therapy: "Parkinson's Disease"

Neurodegeneration is the umbrella term for the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, including death of neurons. Many neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s occur as a result of neurodegenerative processes.

Parkinson's Disease and Stem cells Therapy:

Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized initially by muscle rigidity, tremors, and the slowing of movement. Over time, patients sustain a loss of mobility and experience difficulties with posture, speech and cognition. It is generally agreed that the decline of a particular brain cell called the dopamine neuron (or dopamine cell) is involved. Current drug therapies are useful in early stages but become less effective as the disease progresses. Dopamine cell transplantation has offered some success in the treatment of Parkinson's but is limited by the small amount of tissue available for transplant.
Recently it has been shown that human embryonic stem cells can be transformed into dopamine cells, when treated with a cocktail of growth factors. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that possess the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture, giving rise to a specific specialized cell, such as dopamine. Human embryonic stem cells may one day provide an inexhaustible supply of such cells. However, their usefulness for transplant therapy depends on their exhibiting the normal properties of dopamine cells, most importantly the ability to produce and release dopamine when transplanted into the brain.

"Umbilical Cord Blood Banking": A way to save UCB stem cells

UMBILICAL CORD AND UCB STEM CELLS:

In placental mammals, the umbilical cord (also called the birth cord or funiculus umbilicalis) is the connecting cord from the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta. The blood within the umbilical cord, known as cord blood, is a rich and readily available source of primitive, undifferentiated stem cells (of type CD34-positive and CD38-negative)known as Umbilical cord blood cells
Umbilical Cord blood stem cells hold great potential in treating a wide number of diseases and disorders. Cord blood stem cells are actually much more primitive than bone marrow or peripheral stem cells. These stem cells are taken from umbilical cord blood shortly after birth; once the umbilical cord has been cut, a nurse or doctor can drain the blood from the cord. This blood can then be frozen and stored privately or donated to public cord blood banks. When it is needed, the stem cells are thawed and ready to use in stem cell therapy.

ADVANTAGE OF UCB STEM CELLS:

UCB StemCell Transplnt Vs BM StemCell Transplant:-
UCB Stem cells transplant patients may hav a higher survival rate, and less feequent hospitalization due to fewer complications such as GHVD. *The overal cost of UCB transplantation less than the traditional bone marrow transplantation.
 
UCB for SC collection Vs BM for SC Collection:-
In UCB, we find much amount of stem cells as compared to bone marrow Stem Cells in 100-150 ml of Cord blood = Stem Cells in 500-1000ml of Bone Marrow


"CORD BLOOD BANKING":
Cord blood is a rich source of heamatopoeitic Stem cells and these are used for treatment of various life-threatening diseases. These stem cells are not only perfect for the child's own usage, but also for the siblings and parents. Collection of cord blood is painless, non-invasive and causes no harm or side effects to mother or the child. So, we have these cord blood banks all over, which collect the UCB Stem cells and keep it safe for years and used by the child if in later future he/she suffers from any fatal disease.

Cord Blood Banking Options:
1. Privately store your baby's cord blood : Currently, there are thousands of scientists and projects worldwide working on regenerative medicine (re-growing body parts lost through aging, injury or illness) and many families are opting for personal storage of their cord blood based on the current trends and future potential.
2. Donate the cord blood: By donating your baby's cord blood you are possibly saving the life of another human being.
3. Discard your baby's cord blood:  This option is available for families who do not which to donate or store the cord blood.


COLLECTION,SEPARATION,ENUMERATION AND CRYOPRESERVATION OF UCB STEM CELLS:

UCB Samples are collected from normal full term vaginal deliveries. The collections are made after delivery of the infant and ligation of the cord prior to the expulsion of the placenta. The UCB are to be collected while the placenta is still in utero. Using strict aseptic techniques, the umbilical vein is cleansed with alcohol followed by betadine. The umbilical vein was pierced and UCB collected in standard blood collection bags containing Citrate Phosphate Dextrose Adenine-1(CPDA-1) anticoagulant.The UCB units are to be stored at 4°c and processed within 24 hrs.

Removal of RBCs is done by hydroxy ethyl starch(HES) sedimentation. MNC counts are done by using Turk’s solution. Viability count of MNC is done by using Trypan Blue dye exclusion test. UCB mononuclear cells are cryopreserved using the cryoprotectant DMSO at a final concentration of 10%.


Types Of CORD BLOOD BANKS:

1. Public Cord Blood Banks:
*These banks store Cord blood for potential use by transplant patients.
*Cord blood is donated to the bank. client relinquishes all right after donation.
*Use is not restricted to anyone in the world.
*Processing or storage costs are collected from the donor.
*Usage subject to availability.

2. Private/Family Cord blood Banks:
*These banks store Cord blood on behalf of the client. family banking offers a sense of security to the family who know that if in future their child will need transplants, the cord blood is available immediately.
*Cord blood is available for use for the family members only.
*Processing and storage are borne by the client.
*Availability of cord blood for the potential future use in family is guaranteed.


CURRENTLY TREATABLE DISEASE WITH UCB STEM CELLS: Blood and haemoglobin disorders such as Anaemia and Thalassemia. *Immunological and metabolic disorders like Severe immunodeficiency diseases. *Cancers such as Acute lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia. *Autoimmune disease such as Multiple Sclerosis.

POTENTIAL FUTURE APPLICATION OF UCB STEM CELLS IN TREATING: Diabetes, Alzheimers, Heart disease, Parkinson's disease, Spinal Cord injury etc.

Stem Cells: Cartoon Stock {Images/quotes}...!!

INTRODUCTION: Enter Stem Cells...!!

Stem cells are the primal cells found in all multicellular organisms. They retain the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and can differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types.


Stem Cell Properties:
1. Self-renewal: The ability to go through numerous cycles of cell division while maintaining the undifferentiated state.
2. Unlimited potency: The capacity to differentiate into any mature cell type. In a strict sense, this requires stem cells to be either totipotent, although some multipotent or unipotent progenitor cells are sometime referred to as stem cells.

Potency definitions:

1. Totipotent stem cells: These are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cells. Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg are also totipotent.These cells can differentiate into embryonic and extraembryonic cell types.
2. Pluripotent stem cells: These are the descendants of totipotent cells and can differentiate into cells derived from any of the three germ layers.
3. Multipotent stem cells: These cells can produce only cells of a closely related family of cells (e.g.-Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into R.B.C, W.B.C, platelets etc.)
4. Unipotent stem cells: These cells can produce only one cell type, but have the property of self-renewal which distinguishes them from non-stem cells

Types of stem cells:

1. Embryonic stem cells: The stem cells obtained from the early developing stages of an embryo are called Embryonic stem cells. Stem cells obtained from this newly developed bundle of cells have the full potential to differentiate into absolutely, positively anything in the human body.Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and give rise during development of all derivatives of three primary germ layers.
Embryonic stem cell lines are cultures of cells derived from the epiblast tissue of the inner cell mass of a blastocyst or earlier morula stage embryos.
2. Adult stem cells: Stem cells obtained from full grown adults are Adult stem cells. Stem cells have to be found in special parts of the body where they have been saved and undifferentiated, like in bone marrow or early stages of tissue development. They have been used for various applications such as cloning, trying to cure diabetis, and artificial blood.It is said that adult stem cells are clonogenic and unilineal.
The major function of adult stem cells is to maintain homeostasis in the body in terms of replacing dead or injured cells with new ones that function correctly.
3. Umbilical Cord stem cells: Stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord of a new born baby are the Umbilical cord stem cells. Millions of multipotent stem cells lie in the umbilical cord and the blood in it.These stem cells can be saved in a Stem Cell Bank and later used for bone marrow, anemia, and cancer treatments etc.


Stem cell culture:
Stem cells are cultured in laboratory and these cultured stem cells has their own research and clinical application. Major applications are: Functional genomic studies, Study of biological processes, Drug discovery and development, Cell-based therapy, Therapeutic cloning etc.