Unusual Source of Multi-Potential Stem Cells

Home

Researchers from the cardiac cell therapy at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowen Institute of Regenerative Medicine have discovered that stromal stem cells, which are cells presently found in connective tissues, have recently been identified within uterine endometrial tissues. This potentially new and extremely abundant source of stem cells that can be used in the studies for potential treatments in regenerating cells, tissues, and organs have been found in an inexpensive and easily accessible wealth of materials -- more commonly known as menstrual blood.

Menstrual blood is produced when linings within the uterus during the menstrual cycle slough off from the uterine walls after fertilization does not take place. "Stromal stem cells derived from menstrual blood exhibit stem cell properties, such as the capacity for self renewal and multi-tendency," said Amit N. Patel, M.D., M.S., and Director of Cardiac Cell Therapy at the University. "Uterine stromal cells have similar multipotent markers found in bone marrow stem cells and originate in part from bone marrow."

Recent testing has unveiled the menstrual blood stromal cells are capable of differentiating into a multitude of cell lineages, including osteogenic, cardiogenic, neural, mesodermal, an ectodermal cells. "The need for regenerative therapies using cells with the ability to engraft and differentiate his vast, said Patel. "Preliminary results are extremely encouraging and support the importance of further study of these cells in several different areas including heart disease, diabetes, and neuro degenerative disease." Studies in this area will certainly continue.

< Prev		Next >

Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Smart Cells International. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.

Select country: