Written By: Samia Fahim
Email: samiafahim567@gmail.com
Regenerative medicine is a modern development in medical science catering to the repairment, replacement or regeneration of cells, tissues and organs in the human body. Regenerative medicine has been making groundbreaking advancements by giving birth to various therapies that are today used to effectively cure what was once incurable. One of such therapies is Stem Cell Therapy.
Let’s begin by understanding regenerative medicine on a fundamental level. It is a methodology that uses stem cells to repair or reform a damaged tissue.
What are Stem Cells?
They are special types of cells in the human body known for their ability to multiply rapidly. Additionally, they are capable of differentiating into other specialized cell types as well, both of which qualities make them perfect for usage in regenerative medicine. For example, stem cells can potentially repair heart tissue after a heart attack or create new neurons in neurodegenerative diseases.
Fig 1.Stem Cells
A stem cell is also capable of undergoing genetic modification hence; it is used in the treatment of genetic disorders as well. The most recent progress of regenerative medicine in this regard is the advent of the infamous “CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology” which has revolutionized regenerative medicine by enabling precise genetic modifications. This technology has facilitated the correction of genetic defects in stem cells, enhancing their therapeutic potential- their capacity to heal or cure a disorder. Gene therapy, combined with stem cell therapy, holds promise for treating genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and certain types of cancer, by correcting or replacing faulty genes in patients' cells.
Now you must be wondering what stem cell therapy is with which the gene therapy is making such breakthroughs. Well, stem cell therapy is simply a form of treatment that includes the usage of stem cells. You already know what stem cells are so let's learn usages of stem cell therapy.
Applications of Stem Cell Therapy:
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT): also known as bone marrow transplantation, used to treat blood diseases like leukemia or lymphoma. Stem cells from a donor are infused in a patients’ blood where they multiply and produce healthy blood cells. The patient undergoes a preparation beforehand, which usually involves high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy the diseased bone marrow and suppress the immune system. This step is important as it creates space for the new stem cells and reduces the risk of immediate transplant rejection. Afterwards the stem cells are introduced through a vein to travel to the bone marrow, where they begin to settle or establish themselves, and start multiplying. Following the transplant, the patient is kept under observation for signs of complications such as an infection. SCT has many benefits; it can potentially cure or significantly reduce the symptoms of severe hematologic diseases that are otherwise untreatable. For many patients, HSCT offers a chance for a happier and healthier life.
Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases: SCT has potential for treating conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis by replacing damaged neurons as we discussed earlier. In these diseases the neurons have degenerated and require restoring. The stem cells are sourced, prepared in laboratories to increase their numbers or differentiate them according to requirement and then, transplanted. Transplantation is done via the brain or spinal cord. At the end, the patient is monitored to ensure a successful treatment. Using SCT brings innumerable benefits such as neuroprotection- stem cells may secrete growth factors and other neuroprotective substances that help protect existing neurons from further damage and promote overall healing. Secondly, patients tend to experience overall functional improvement as their symptoms lessen and they have enhanced motor skills, better cognitive function, and reduced disease progression ultimately leading to an improved quality of life.
Autoimmune Diseases: stem cell therapy alters the immune system to treat autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus and overall strengthens the immune system. It uniquely provides a chance of long term remission for such diseases which has raised hopes among people all around the world.
Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: fastens the process of healing wounds and burns preventing chances of aggravated infections.
Having discussed stem cell therapy lets understand more of regenerative medicine.
Figure 2.Regenarative Medicine: Venn Diagram
Tissue Engineering: In simple terms tissue engineering is employed when a person has damaged tissues in their body due to an injury or disease or they require improved tissue function. Stem cells are sourced along with primary cells- cells of the tissue that require tissue engineering. A key component of tissue engineering along with the cells is scaffolds. Scaffolds provide a ‘3D structure’ that supports cell attachment and tissue development. They are biodegradable mostly so they degrade on their own as the new tissue forms and no surgical procedure for removal is required. The cultured cells are engraved in the scaffolds and the cell- scaffold construct is then cultured in laboratories so it evolves into a functional tissue. The tissue is eventually implanted into the patient.
Benefits of Tissue Engineering: Tissue engineering has given rise to recreation of organs. This advancement has greatly benefitted the researchers in understanding organs better and testing out potential treatments more effectively. It has also provided a solution for the ever stressful shortage of organ donors on a global level. Tissue engineering is also utilized in skin and bone grafts for burns and fractures respectively. It is used in cartilage repairmen in joint injuries and Fig 3.Tissue Engineering arthritis too.
Biomaterials: What are they? What is their role in regenerative medicine? The biomaterials are simply substances engineered to interact with biological systems to support regenerative therapies to carry out their functions effectively. There are three kinds of biomaterials:
natural
synthetic
composite
Naturals include hyaluronic acid and collagen. Synthetics comprise of glycolic acid polymers and metals and lastly composite biomaterials are ‘hybrids’ formed from the combination of natural and synthetic biomaterials.
Properties of Biomaterials:
Scaffolds and Biodegradability- Biomaterials ensure the provision of scaffolds (the 3D structures we discussed earlier in tissue engineering). Scaffolds are made using synthetic biomaterials and these eventually break down in the body due to hydrolysis or enzymatic actions. Therefore, these are responsible for the property of biodegradability in scaffolds.
Biocompatibility- Upon degradation, biomaterials do not produce toxic by-products in the body making them compatible with the human immune system. This lessens the chances of an adverse immune response.
Drug Delivery- They act as carriers for targeted delivery of drugs or growth factors.
Tissue Replacement- They cater to tissue replacement by acting as permanent substitutes to damaged tissues.
Conclusion
The advent of regenerative medicine has paved the way for a myriad of advancements. Its long lasting impact extends beyond individual health, contributing to advancements in personalized medicine, reducing healthcare costs and enhancing overall quality of life. As research continues regenerative medicine promises further breakthroughs by completely transforming how we approach medical treatment. In a nutshell, stem cell therapy, tissue engineering and biomaterials have collectively brought to the world a new hope. Be it the incurable blood diseases or genetic disorders people had no choice but to live with all their lives, stem cell therapy has worked wonders for people all around the world.
Following is a graphic representation of the growing impact of stem cell therapy from 1971-2021 as can be deduced from the increase in research papers published globally.
Figure 4. Growing impact of stem cell therapy
The verdict by medical doctors and research scientists is out! Regenerative medicine is the future.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
“What Is a Stem Cell?” Labxchange.org, 2024, www.labxchange.org/library/pathway/lx-pathway:e1e890a2-7e4b-4268-a2a0-3852ac03744d/items/lb:LabXchange:ee2b3ce8:html:1/106542. Accessed 25 July 2024.
Gross, Ames. “The Promise of Regenerative Medicine in Asia.” MedTech Intelligence, 27 Feb. 2017, medtechintelligence.com/feature_article/promise-regenerative-medicine-asia/. Accessed 25 July 2024.
“Journal of Functional Biomaterials.” Www.mdpi.com, www.mdpi.com/journal/jfb/special_issues/Biomaterials_TERM. Accessed 25 July 2024.
Cona, Louis A. “How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?” DVC Stem, 14 July 2021, www.dvcstem.com/post/stem-cell-therapy.
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