Value of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Hematopoietic stem cells are the remarkable cells found in umbilical cord blood. These stem cells are intelligent, powerful, and unique.
Cord blood stem cells are intelligent because they have the ability to find the other cells in the body that need assistance. Hematopoietic stem cells are also powerful. They are more efficient at reproducing blood than other sources of stem cells. And these stem cells are a unique match to your baby’s own blood and immune system.
Significance of Stem Cells
Let us pause a moment to clarify what stem cells are. The cells in our bodies are not created equally. For example, a nerve cell will always remain a nerve cell. Likewise, this is true for cells that make up muscles and just about anything else you can think of in the body.
Every specialized cell in the body is designed for a purpose (i.e. optic nerve cells, skin cells, or muscle cells). Yet stem cells are further unique. They don’t carry out any of the functions of the body, at least not directly. Don’t underestimate this cell though. While they have no specialized functions, they are still a workhorse for the body.
Each cell type in your body is programmed for a specialized purpose. Muscle cells are programmed to expand and contract when stimulated by a nerve impulse. Stem cells however, have a unique capability. They have within them, the ability to differentiate into a wide range of cells. This means that while your muscle cells cannot produce other muscle cells, stem cells can.
Another feature that makes stem cells highly valuable is their ability to produce more stem cells for an extended period of time. No other cell in the body has this ability to replicate.
Hematopoietic stem cells primary function is to differentiate into and produce various blood cells as mentioned before. Researchers are also looking into ways they may be able to trigger those cells to differentiate into other cells in the body.
Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
Being able to replicate itself for an extended period of time as well as differentiate into a wide range of cell types, give stem cells a remarkable regenerative ability. Given this, you may also recognize that stem cells have a very unique ability to heal damaged areas of the body.
Research into the use of stem cells for regenerative medicine has opened a potential treasure trove of opportunities for many fields. Researchers are actively pursuing treatments and potential cures for many diseases such as sickle cell anemia. They are also looking at how to harness the regenerative aspects of the cells to help victims of stroke or macular degeneration.
As researchers make progress, they have learned that the benefit of stem cells extends beyond cellular differentiation and proliferation/replication. Researchers in several clinical studies have identified that stem cells also release chemical factors when used in therapies.
These chemicals were not understood; however, they appear to further help heal damaged areas where the cells are transplanted. The case studies in macular degeneration and stroke therapy are excellent examples of this.
Researchers have also found that they can grow a wide range of cells under laboratory conditions. This approach has enabled new approaches to studying treatment options. For example, drugs can be screened under laboratory conditions without having to subject people to untried methods.
Stem Cell Treatment & The Future
Finally, there are no guaranties or certainties about which stem cell treatments will work. What is certain is that umbilical cord blood is loaded with these hematopoietic stem cells. And the best time to collect and store that blood is following the birth of your child. Enroll today to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
