Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 1 , Pages 12-17, March 2009

Are Stem Cells the Magical Medical Therapy of the Future?

  • Kuo-Liang Yang

      Affiliations

    • Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Ming-Hwang Shyr

      Affiliations

    • Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
    • Department of Anesthesiology, Buddhist Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Buddhist Tzu Chi Stem Cells Center, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, 707, Chung-Yang Road, Hualien, Taiwan

Received 22 December 2007; received in revised form 25 January 2008; accepted 11 March 2008.

Article Outline

Abstract 

Stem cells are characterized based on two basic characteristics—a capability for self-renewal and a capability to develop into specialized cells. The type of specialization often depends on the cell's function and location, such as those of acid and protein secreting cells in the stomach or insulin secreting cells in the pancreas. On the other hand, the capability for self-renewal and specialization enables a nerve stem cell, for example, to grow into a mature nerve cell and another self-renewing cell that perpetuates the next cycle of self replication and specialization. Stem cells can also be categorized into embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Pluripotent embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst and adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found in post-embryonic tissues or organs. The primary roles of adult stem cells are to maintain and repair the tissues or organs in which they reside. The pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, which give rise to various cell types, and the ability of adult stem cells to repair tissue damage are the “magic fix” that regeneration medicine is suggesting. Whether the function of stem cells is hematopoietic or non-hematopoietic, researchers all over the world are striving hard to harness the use of stem cells for medicine. As the progress of stem cell research moves steadily forward, let us pause for a minute and pose a question. Are stem cells really going to be the magical medical therapeutic component of the future?

Keywords:  Cell-based therapy , Stem cells , Transplantation

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PII: S1016-3190(09)60003-3

doi:10.1016/S1016-3190(09)60003-3

Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 1 , Pages 12-17, March 2009

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