What Stem Cell is and its use?

The human body is a complete suite of different mechanisms. The human body is often termed as the factory itself. There are all the possible mechanisms are present. If the mechanisms that are going through the body are counted, then it will take certainly a high amount of time. And the number of them must not be less than a trillion. Scientists are still researching the human body to get more & more new details of the hidden mechanism. Sometimes scientists termed the human body as completely strange. From cells to the commanding nervous system, bones to the immune system in the body all are evidence that the human body can able to do many more things. And human body is still not yet fully understood by scientists. Like all other discovered processes in the human body, Stem cells are one of the greatest discoveries in the human body.

Definition of Stem Cells

In the human body, there are several cells are present. Some of them belong to the Liver, Lungs, Kidneys & many other organs. As they belong to a specific organ, they are known as organ-specific cells. Other than those cells, there are many other cells like Blood Cells, Muscles Cells, etc. Every cell has its definite job to execute. Some cells help in the immune system, and some help in nerve communication. But there are a set of cells present in the human body, that don’t do any type of job. But they are still very important for the body. Those are known as Stem cells. These cells are present in the human body. But there is no specific task for them.

They just need to divide it & grow in greater numbers. Sometimes they create another set of Stem cells or another type of cells. This means Stem cells can create other cells in the body. Stem cells are the reservoir of the body’s cell system. If there is any shortage of any specific cells in the body, the Stem cells will convert into that cells. Like, Stem cells Liver cells, and Kidney cells can be formed. As the Blood cells & the Muscle cells can’t able to divide and produce more cells, Stem cells also produce the Blood cells & Muscles Cells in the body. Stem cells are needed to make a body function. It helps to maintain the balance of cells in the body.

Properties of The Stem Cells

Stem Cells follow some basic properties. These are the properties that are not similar to every type of cell. These are the only properties of Stem cells. Every stem cell needs to follow these characteristics. There are mainly five properties present in every Stem Cell.

1. Stem Cells will be always unspecialized cells. This means they are not categorized into any different kinds of cells.
2. Stem Cells can able to renew themselves by dividing more & more depending on time. From a stem cell similar stem cells can be produced.
3. Stem Cells can modify themselves into some specific cell in the body. Stem cells can be able to become Blood Cells, Lung Cells, Kidney Cells, etc.
4. Stem Cells help to maintain the cell balance of the body. Stem cells help to activate any organ by supplying cells to it.
5. Stem Cells can able to replace the old, dying, damaged cells of the body. Hence the organ will always get fresh cells to function properly.

Types Of Stem Cells

There are quite a large number of stem cells are present. Mainly Stem cells are produced inside the human body. But along with that, some stem cells are produced inside laboratories. This means they are not natural. They are made artificially. So, it is clear that there will be large types of stem cells present in the human body & laboratories. Basically, in a large context, stem cells can be produced into two groups. These two groups can again be classified into some different categories.

1. Types of stem cells based on formation type
2. Types of stem cells based on the formation of different cells

Types of Stem Cells Based on Formation Type

Now, this type of Stem cells is classified based on their formation process. Stem cells are produced in the total life of any human. From the birth to the death of any individual, the creation of stem cells continues. Also, there is another type of stem cell are present that is produced in laboratories. This also belongs to this category. So, this category can be divided further into three groups.

1. Embryonic Stem Cells: These are the Stem cells that only exist at the time of the embryonic process. These stem cells are completely removed from the body when an individual is going to be an adult. The fertilized egg at the very beginning process starts to grow more rapidly. At the time, it was completely a set of Stem cells. From time to time, the stem cells got their specific task. Some of them start developing organs in the baby. Some start to produce blood & muscle cells in the baby. Among those cells, some remain in the Stem Cell category. And eventually develops the type of Stem cells.
2. Adult Stem Cells: As the name suggests, these Stem cells are responsible for maintaining the body balance in the adulthood of any individual. Some Embryonic Stem Cells were left in the same condition while other stem cells were developing the body. These stem cells become Adult Stem Cells in the future. Now as the body is developed, these stem cells do two types of jobs. They first regenerate themselves by dividing more & more. Also, it helps to maintain the developed organ by supplying specific cells to it. This doesn’t need to develop any more organs. They need to provide the organs with specific support.
3. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): As the name suggests, this is not a natural stem cell. It is induced in nature. This means they are made artificially. In the laboratories, these stem cells were produced. They are produced in 2007 very first time. They are similar to Embryonic Stem Cells. This means they can develop different organs in the body. They are not made for maintaining the developed organs in the body. Stem Cell therapy is a growing therapy in medical science nowadays.

Controversy to use of Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells are only available in the very first stage of life. When a sperm is attached to the egg, it started fertilizing. When the egg is matured enough, then the embryonic stem cells started developing. When the egg starts growing, day by day, the embryonic stem cells are reduced & produce the adult stem cells. So, if embryonic stem cells need to be extracted it should be done from the very early stage of life. And there is the controversy that occurs.

Because, these stem cells are taken from the very early stage of life, there is an ethics question related to it. The government has made some guidelines on embryonic stem cells & their uses. Scientists need to be depending on the donation process for research on the embryonic stem cells process. That is the reason, it is less used enough.

What are the potential problems with using embryonic stem cells in humans?

Embryonic Stem Cells are the most important stem cells. It is the most useful among all the stem cells type. But there are also some problems related to it. There is no doubt that Embryonic Stem Cells are responsible for developing other types of cells in the body. From that view, the problem arises. Embryonic Stem Cells can grow continuously. There should be an endpoint to grow new cells in organs. Otherwise, the Embryonic Stem Cells might be a cause of cancer in the human body. It is a big concern.

Also, the Embryonic Stem Cells might awaken the immune system of the body. The Embryonic Stem Cells might resemble the foreign element in the receiver’s body. Then the immune system will start working on the Embryonic Stem Cells. That is not a good sign for the body. So, scientists are careful enough while doing experiments with Embryonic Stem Cells. That is the reason; the experiment with stem cells is not easy enough.

Why can’t researchers use adult stem cells instead?

For research purposes, scientists can use adult stem cells. There is no guidance on adult stem cells like embryonic stem cells. But there are some issues with adult stem cells. Adult stem cells can’t be manipulated enough to form any type of cell from it. It is not as durable as embryonic stem cells. That is the reason behind the limited use of adult stem cells.

Also, adult stem cells might be inappropriate in many forms. Sometimes, the stem cells are not healthy enough due to toxins & smoking, drinking, etc. processes. That is the reason; adult stem cells are not able to fulfill the need of scientists. So, there are a lot of hurdles in the stem cell experimental process.

Types of Stem Cells based on formation of different Cells

These are the stem cells that are responsible for the formation of the different specialized cells in the body. This means they are not responsible for maintaining the developed organ. So, it can be said that they are also a sub-category of the Embryonic Stem Cell. Because only Embryonic cells can able to produce new organs in the body. So, there are mainly four types of stem cells present under this category.

1. Totipotent Stem Cells: These are the Stem cells that are responsible for the development of any kind of organ in the human body. So, these cells are responsible for the development of the lungs, liver, kidney, etc. All the organs are developed from this type of Stem cell.
2. Pluripotent Stem Cells: These are the stem cells that are not responsible for the body’s development. They are used to develop only a specific kind of structure. They are associated with the development of Sexual Organs in the human body. For men & women, the structure will be different. They are not used to develop normal organs like lungs, kidneys, etc.
3. Unipotent Stem Cells: These are the cells that are used to develop any cell that can’t able to produce its copy. This means the cells are not eligible to divide & have growth. The Muscle Cells & the Nerve Cells get this type of support from these stem cells.
4. Multipotent Stem Cells: As the name suggests these stem cells are responsible for the development of the Blood cells in the body. But these cells can able to develop different blood cells in the body. This means, from these stem cells Red Blood Cells & White Blood Cells can be developed.

Importance of Stem Cells

The importance of stem cells can’t be expressed in simple words. The stem cells are the basic cells that help to develop the initial organ development in the body. From the very embryonic stage to adulthood, it helps to develop the organ. Then for the rest of life, it helps to maintain those organs in the body. It replaces the old cells of the organ with new cells. This helps to make the organ new at every time. So, the organ will not stop working in the future. In absence of the Stem cells, the development of the body will not be completed ever. There might be some deficiency of the organs in the human body in absence of the stem cells. Stem cells are so important that they are used in the medical industry for producing drugs. The drugs will help to make new growth to the damaged organs in the body. So, in absence of the stem cells, the human body structure might be different. So, the importance of stem cells is unimaginable.

Why is there such an interest in stem cells?

1. Reason Behind Diseases: Stem cells are responsible for developing any kind of cells in the body. It can able to develop muscle cells, liver cells, heart cells, etc. Scientists are working with stem cells & they are noticing the process to develop a cell from stem cells. Scientists believe that they will understand the process of disease development by analyzing stem cells.
2. In Regenerative Medicine: Stem cells play a major role in cell development. Scientists are working hard to find a way to replace old cells with new cells using stem cells. This process is known as regenerative medicine. Due to some diseases, some cells in any particular organ might be affected. Using artificial stem cells, scientists are trying to force the stem cells to become a particular cell. It will help to replace the old cells. Diabetic patients will get more benefits from this process.
3. In Medicine Testing: Stem cells can be used for the testing purpose of any medicine. When a new medicine is produced, it will first give to the stem cells. If there is no negative impact on the stem cells, then those medicines can be given to humans for more testing purposes. In this way, stem cells are helpful to identify the required medicines.

Functions of Stem Cells

1. Tissue Regeneration: This is the most important use of Stem cells. Stem cells are used to maintain the developed organs & tissues. If any organ is damaged, then the Stem cells are used to repair the organ or tissue. This process helps in the kidney & liver transplantation process. The stem cells are used to develop the cut region in the liver rapidly. Also, the stem cells that are present under the skin help to develop skin cells when there was severe burning.
2. Medical Sciences: Stem cells are highly used in medical science. Scientists are highly monitoring stem cells’ functionality to use them in different fields. There is a try to develop a drug that will increase stem cell production in the body. Scientists are working to develop a strong stem cell in the lab that will produce any organ from a small residue of it. This will bring a new era in medical science.
3. Development Of Blood Vessels: The stem cells are used to develop the blood vessels in the body. As the blood vessels are also developed from the cells, the stem cells can do that. Already, scientists have moved ahead with this experiment. Human Stem cells are inserted in the mouse body. Within two days, a new blood vessel was formed in the mouse’s body. And within a week, a complete network of the blood vessel was developed. So, this process is helpful in the development of the cardiovascular system in the body.
4. Treatment Of Brain Disease: Stem cells are used for the treatment of brain diseases. The stem cells can help to repair damaged brain cells. Also, stem cells help in the development of the nerve cells that are damaged. As nerve cells can’t able to divide & grow further, maintenance is most important there. Scientists are now researching stem cells’ involvement in the curing of severe diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Treatment Of Blood Disease: Stem cells are responsible for the development of blood cells. Stem cells produce the RBCs & WBCs in the body. Also, stem cells help with blood cancer disease. From the outside of the body, stem cells are inserted in the bone marrow of the individual. Stem cells help to develop more RBCs for body purification. Also in Sickle Cell Anemia, the Stem Cells help produce the original RBCs in the body.

What is stem cell therapy, and how does it work?

Stem cell therapy is usually known as Regenerative Medicine. The main goal is to produce new cells from the stem cells. If any organ is injured, then the stem cells will help to repair the cells of that organ. The cells are produced in the laboratory & injected into the individual body. This operation will bring the organ transplantation process to a new horizon. There will not be any need to donate any organ to another human body. Just there will be a need for the cells of that particular organ.

Suppose, anyone has some disease in the liver. Now, liver cells are made artificially in the laboratory using stem cells. Now, these artificial liver cells are injected into the body of the individual. Now, the cells will start working in the liver. That will replace all the old & damaged cells of the liver and helps to develop new cells. In this way, the need to donate organs will be reduced. The damaged organ will regenerate in the individual body itself.

Has therapeutic cloning in people been successful?

Therapeutic Cloning is a type of mechanism in which stem cells are produced without taking the help of the fertilized egg. In this way, scientists are trying to make embryonic stem cells in the laboratory itself. In this process, the nucleus is removed from the egg. And another somatic cell nucleus is inserted into the egg cell. In this way, it will help to change the structure of the stem cells. That is the reason; this process is known as the Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Process.

This process is still in development. Scientists can’t able to perform this operation successfully in any human body. They are trying to develop the process more easily. But still, it is not achieved. But scientists have made some stem cells with the help of Therapeutic Cloning. But they are not healthy enough to release in the market.

FAQs on Stem Cell

Question 1: What are Stem Cells?

Answer:

Stem cells are a special type of cells present in the human body. They are nonfunctional in the body. They used to develop it by dividing or it can be developed by some more specific cells in the body that has some special task to do. 

Question 2: At which phase of human life, the most body organ development took place using Stem cells?

Answer:

In the early phase of human life, at the embryonic stage, most body organ development took place using Stem cells. At that time, the number of stem cells is much more that the adult time.

Question 3: Which stem cells are responsible for the major organ development in the human body?

Answer:

The Embryonic Stem Cells are responsible for the major organ development in the human body. Most of the organs in the human body start developing at the early stage of human life.

Question 4: Which stem cells are used to develop the sexual organs in the human body?

Answer:

The Pluripotent Stem Cells are used to develop the sexual organs in the human body. They are a sub-category of Embryonic Stem Cells. It also developed before the adulthood of any individual.