How do stem cells and HIV patients benefit each other? In the early stages of development in a mother's womb, humans begin as an embryo-an unborn child growing. Many people believe that as an early stage embryo there is not much that it can do. However, embryonic stem cells are derived from these early stage embryos and provide differentiating abilities that can help life threatened, diseased patients. One of the more popular diseases include human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV. HIV is a lentivirus that causes an infection, and eventually over time develops into AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Though HIV and AIDS are related, there are many differences between the two. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS if left untreated. …show more content…
Unlike embryonic stem cells that are pluripotent, mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent, which means they are able to give rise to other cells, but are limited in their ability to differentiate. Though they are limited, they have “[...] demonstrated the great potential [...] for the prevention and treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), immune-related disorders, and viral diseases” (Thanunchai, et al). Because of their great potential, MSCs can be used to treat viral diseases such as HIV. However, what comes with HIV are their side effects and the infections that it may cause. One of the most damaging effects of HIV is the risk of bone loss, osteoporosis. However “[...] PI-treated MSCs had a reduced proliferative capacity that worsened with increasing passages” (Hernandez-Vallejo, et al). Using MSCs as treatment for this risk has lowered the ability of osteoporosis to continue to grow and multiply in a patient who has HIV. Using these stem cells not only helps osteoporosis, but also organs in the body. Mesenchymal stem cells “[...] have been shown to increase intestinal barrier function, thus the transfused cells are likely to reduce microbial translocation in HIV-infected patients” (Allam, et al). MSCs has provided aid in not only treating aspects of HIV, but the conditions that may arise from it as well. They have helped patients …show more content…
They include an extensive range of undifferentiated cells that provide vital functions to treat infected patients. These undifferentiated cells can give rise to many cell lineages; these lineages can be later reprogrammed to become HIV resistance or used help introduce a gene of interest that produces helper T-cells to fight off foreign pathogens and build a patient’s immune system. Many drugs that are used to treat HIV today, may not treat HIV in an effective way; a donor may not always be a match. These stem cells are the ideal therapy for these types of diseases, and provide a patient-specific treatment that unlike drugs, do not. These stem cells, embryonic, hematopoietic, mesenchymal, and induced pluripotent, have transformed the field of research and medicine, providing new applications to the world of biotechnology and science to
These cells come from fetuses which is why stem cells are such a controversial issue. In order to actually use embryonic cells, they must be harvested from an unborn baby that is in the early stages of life. Embryonic cells have the ability to be all 220 types of tissues in the human body. “This makes them ideal for regenerating diseased heart tissue, repairing spinal cords, and replenishing brain cells”, Elizabeth Svoboda, an author in the publicized Popular Science magazine, illustrates in her article about stem cells (60). Embryonic cells have limitless possibilities in medical advancement. These cells can become whatever type of cell a doctor program them to be. With the use of embryonic stem cells, doctors can cure several diseases, as well as curing people who have suffered injuries, but research is being slowed down by the ethical dilemma of aborting a
The first type of stem cell, an embryonic stem cell, is known for being able to continuously multiply, as well as for being pluripotent. They can be “derived in vitro from the blastocyst of an embryo usually left over from in vitro fertilization” (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Unlike other types of stem cells, embryonic stem cells have yet to be used in any kind of clinical treatment of patients. The high risks of “immune rejection” or “teratoma formation” are serious obstacles (Harris, 2009, p.182). The second type of stem cell, adult stem cells, is primarily considered to be multipotent and may be found in “specific adult human tissues” such as the skin or bone marrow, just to name a few. Over the last twenty years, the amount of scientific research and trials using adult stem cells has grown significantly, despite their lower potency than embryonic stem cells (Forraz & McGuckin, 2011, p.61). Lastly, cord blood stem cells, are technically considered to be a special type of adult stem cell, but their youthful properties give them “greater restorative and regenerative potential.” Directly following the birth of a child, these stem cells can be collected from the blood in the umbilical cord (Steenblock & Payne, 2006, p.9). Embryonic, adult, and cord blood stem cells
Attempts were made to fertilize mammalian eggs outside of the human body and in the early 1900s, it was discovered that some cells had the ability to generate blood cells. In 1968, the first bone marrow transplant was performed to successfully to treat patient’s severe combined immunodeficiency. There have been many stem cell discoveries since the early 1900’s but the two majors were in 1998 when, Thompson, from the University of Wisconsin, isolated cells from the inner cell mass of early embryos and developed the first embryonic stem cell lines. Then, in 1999 and 2000, scientists discovered that manipulating adult mouse tissues could produce different cell types.
The stem cell of the embryo can divide for long periods of time and still have the ability to produce all cell type in an organism. Their ability to do so is why scientists are trying to find ways to use them to cure or treat diseases. They think that they can programed to repair or replace the disease ridden cells of an infected patient Some diseases that they think can be
Michael Longaker’s interests lie at the intersection of wound/bone regeneration and stem cell biology. In the Peripheral Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Candidate Cells Responsible for Healing Critical-Sized Calvarial Bone Defects, the efficacy of peripheral blood (PB) for use in regenerative medicine is significant, with its retrieval viewed as relatively easy. Experiments such as bone regeneration were carried out with the use of PB stem cells. The paper finds that through a specific coculturing process mesenchymal cells can be derived from PB (CD34+) which happen to be choice candidates for quicker bone healing and re-calcification in bone defects (Li). The key discoveries here are the identification of easily retrievable source of stem cells, which help give rise, under a specific culturing protocol, to a specific group of non-hematopoietic cells. This is directly in line with Dr. Longaker’s research as he investigates the possible uses of regenerative medicine in skeletal regeneration. Here we are provided an example of how these CD45- cells can be utilized for treatment of bone defects as it facilitations bone formation and osteogenesis. What should be asked here is how viable is this form of treatment. There is a lot of discussion surrounding the necessary conditions to produce these BD-MSCs and how it is very condition dependent. It would have been preferable to know the amount of time and the amount of cells required to see efficient
This source starts by talking about stem cells. Stem cells are the building blocks of every tissue on the human body. The research of stem cells has great potential to show just how effective it can be to heal any wound or disease. While adult stem cells are easily rejected, embryonic stem cells are much easier to use, can treat a greater variety of ailments, and are less likely to be rejected. Despite this, the use of embryonic stem cells are controversial due to the process of receiving them which is to kill a human embryo.
Embryonic stem cells have the ability to save countless of lives and not just in the United States but throughout the whole world. There are many unlimited capabilities to generate better health to the human body with the studies of embryonic stem cells. It can really make a difference in the world of medicine with astonishing breakthroughs. Embryonic stem cell research is ethical and should be acceptable in society rather than wasted aside, because it can cure diseases, save lives, and can extend the human life span. There are limited of acknowledgment for embryonic stem cells, and yet they hold the key to a promising future.
A brief introduction to stem cells; Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, or, simply put, a cell that has not yet been given a job, such as cells that create molecules. In recent years, scientists have discovered the potency that stem cells contain, due to their versatility. For example, stem cells could be studied and used to cure a man of liver disease, a child’s handicap, a woman’s breast cancer, etc…, etc…. One may now be asking themselves? “That’s great… then why are so many people against stem cell research? What could possibly be the drawback? “. You see, stem cells are acquired by human embryos, or, in Layman’s Terms, unborn fetuses. Take for
When a patient is faced with a terminal illness or is told that they will never walk again, it may be difficult to find hope of any kind. Stem Cells provide a faint glimmer of hope, with all the amazing things they, in theory, are able to do and cure. What kind of stem cells are we talking about though? Embryonic, Adult, or Cord Blood? All these possess the ability to replicate themselves as well as become any type of cell (Harvard Gazette). As with any incredible feat there is more often than not a “catch.” Many questions arise when we think about the sacrifices, risks and benefits. It is a matter of where we owe our obligations, to the embryo or to the thousands of people who are suffering and dying with incurable diseases. A diverse
There are many benefits of supporting stem cell research, and these benefits include saving the lives of people with critical diseases; “Stem cells are also helpful in potentially treating problems like repair or replace damaged organs, birth defects, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries and Alzheimer’s disease. If people get good treatment of such diseases, it will be beneficial for them as well as the society” (Joseph). This quote demonstrates many of the illnesses that stem cells can cure with the proper research. Many argue that stem cell research is unethical, however the possible outcomes say otherwise. Furthermore, these cells can also undergo the reproduction of more life saving cells on their own; “It is possible to grow embryonic stem cells for a year at the least in a few cases, particularly when well determined protocols are employed.
Adult stem cells are not necessarily derived from adult human but merely not from embryos. These stem cells can found in bone marrow, connective tissues, hair follicles, umbilical cords and other areas of the body. It is said that these cells have been used to treat an estimated 11,000 patients in the United States in the past two years alone, and over 70 diseases, including Parkinson’s and diabetes. (Pence, 2009) There have been 0 recorded successful treatments achieved by the use of embryonic stem cells. As well, stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been used to treat 65 diseases such as leukemia, and lymphoma. (Sweat,
Many scientists believe that embryonic stem cell (ESC) research is the key to curing diseases such as cancer and HIV. Stem cells are so important to biomedical research because they are primitive cells that are capable of replicating indefinitely producing a multitude of different types of cells. This means that one of these pre-determined cells has to potential of becoming any range of over two hundred tissues with epithelial cells to blood and
The reason stem cells are such a big breakthrough in medical technology is that they are cells that have the remarkable ability to grow into just about any cell in the body (Introduction n. pag). In fact, stem cells that remain in the human body after birth “serve as a sort of internal repair system,” in many tissues and organs (Basics n. pag). This is an extremely efficient way of healing since stem cells can become
Even though many people are unsure about stem cell use, research shows that stem cells are able to help people. Around 50,000 adult stem cell transplants happen around the world each year (“Rethinking Stem Cells” ). Imagine a world with no sickness or no cancer but also if that means killing embryos. If research keeps happening, stem cells may have the answers to many questions for great
“Through the isolation and manipulation of cells, scientists are finding ways to identify young, regenerating ones that can be used to replace damaged of dead cells in diseased organs. This therapy is similar to the process of organ transplant, only the treatment consists of the transplantation of cells rather than organs. The cells that have shown by far the most promise of supplying diseased organs with healthy cells are called stem cells.” (Chapter Preface)