L2 - Pt. 2: Stem Cell Therapy

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What are stem cells, progenitor cell, and their characteristics?

🔹Q: What are Stem cells?

Cells w/ unique ability to:

• SELF-RENEW

• DIFFERENTIATE into more < than 1 cell lineage.

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What are stem cells, progenitor cell, and their characteristics?

🔹Q: What are Progenitor cells?

An INTERMEDIATE cell formed BEFORE a fully differentiated cell develops.

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🔹Q: What is the relationship between stem cells and progenitor cells?

Stem cell → Stem Cell + Progenitor cells → Differentiated Cell

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🔹Q: What is the main characteristic of Progenitor cells?

They are committed to differentiating along a particular developmental pathway.

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Describe properties of stem cells.

🔹Q: What is the major properties/characterstics of stem cells?

• Function as a 🔨REPAIR system.

• DIVIDE & RENEW for long periods.

• Develop into specialized cell types.

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🔹Q: Why are stem cells important in medicine?

B/c they can regenerate tissues & potentially treat disease through REPAIR & REPLACEMENT of damaged cells.

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🧠Stem cells

Stem cells = Renew + Repair + Differentiate

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What is Totipotency, Pluripotency, Multipotency.

🔹Q: What is Totipotency?

The ability to generate ALL cell types, including germ cells & extraembryonic tissues (ex: placenta).

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🔹Q: What can Totipotent cells form?

• ALL body cells

• Placenta

• Embryonic membranes

• a COMPLETE ORGANISM

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🔹Q: What is Pluripotency?

The ability to generate all body cell types EXCEPT Embryonic membrane/Placental cells.

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🔹Q: Can Pluripotent cells form a COMPLETE organism?

No. They CANNOT form extraembryonic tissues like the Placenta.

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🔹Q: What is Multipotency?

The ability to DIFFERENTIATE into Multiple related cell types within ONE specific lineage.

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🔹Q: What is an example of a Multipotent stem cell?

Hematopoietic stem cells.

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🔹Q: Can Multipotent chem cells form all body cell types?

No. They are LIMITED to related cell types w/in ONE lineage.

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🧠Totipotency vs. Pluripotency vs. Multipotency

• Toti- = Total everything

• Pluri- = Plenty of body cells except Placenta

• Multi- = Multiple RELATED cells

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Differentiate between Totipotency, Pluripotency, Multipotency.

Type	Can Form
Totipotent	All cells + placenta + complete organism
Pluripotent	All body cells except placenta
Multipotent	Multiple related cells within one lineage

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Types of Stem cells:

• Embryonic

🔹Q: What are embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)?

Stem cells found in the EMBRYOS that can develop into almost ANY CELL TYPE in the human body.

🧠Early “Master cells” → that can turn into almost ANY CELL in the body

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🔹Q: What type of potency do embryonic stem cells have?

Totipotency / Pluripotency.

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Types of Stem cells:

• Adult Stem cell

🔹Q: What are Adult Stem cells?

Stem cells found in DEVELOPED tissues that can DIFFERENTIATE → into specific related cell types.

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🔹Q: What type of potency do adult stem cells usually have?

Multipotent / Pluripotent.

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🔹Q: Can Adult Stem cells become EVERY cell types in the body?

No. Their differentiation ability is more LIMITED compared to Embryonic stem cells.

🧠Adult stem cells = Repair cells w/ LIMITED specialization range

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A brief introduction to stem cell research.

🔹Q: What is Stem Cell Research?

Study of Stem cells & their potential to REPAIR, REGENERATE, or REPLACE damaged tissues & organs.

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🔹Q: Why is Stem Cell Research important?

Stem cells play central roles in:

• Tissue homeostasis

• Tissue repair

• Regenerative medicine

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🔹Q: What are the 2 major categories of Stem cells historically studied?

1. Embryonic stem cells

2. Adult/Somatic (non-embryonic) stem cells

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🔹Q: What types of adult stem cells are commonly researched?

• Hematopoietic stem cells

• Mesenchymal stem cells

• Neural stem cells

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🔹Q: What diseases are being researched using stem cells?

• Diabetes

• CV (cardiovascular) disease

• Cancer

• Parkinson’s disease

• Spinal injuries

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What is induced pluripotent stem cell (ipSC).

🔹Q: What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)?

IPSCs = Adult differentiated cells that have been EXPERIMENTALLY REPROGRAMMED into a stem cell-like Pluripotent state.