What Is A Cord Stem Cell?
When you hear scientists mention a cord stem cell, what they mean are stem cells that come from the blood in umbilical cords. What's good about cord stem cells is that they are younger than stem cells obtained from adults. One drawback to adult stem cells is that they don't divide for an extended period of time. Cord stem cells, though, do divide for a longer period of time than adult stem cells. Of course, another great thing about the stem cells that are found in umbilical cord blood is that umbilical cords are prevalent. Moreover, the stem cells found in this blood can treat conditions that have been treated with bone marrow stem cells in the past.
As is true of all stem cells, research is currently underway to learn more about cord stem cells. Although most scientists feel embryonic stem cells can form into any type of cell in the human body, they are not certain cord stem cells have this same ability. The stem cells from umbilical cord blood can help patients who have trouble creating normal blood cells. In addition, umbilical cord stem cells are used with patients who have had radiation or special treatments for cancer and leukemia. These cancer treatments destroy the white blood cells of the patients. Cord blood stem cells can be used to help with new blood cell formation in these patients. Umbilical cord blood is only one of the sources of blood stem cells. Blood stem cells also can be found in bone marrow. In addition, humans have a few stem cells in their bloodstream. The stem cells found in the blood stream are called multipotent peripheral blood stem cells, or PBSCs. Although these stem cells are helpful, cord stem cells are considered better at fighting certain conditions. What's nice about umbilical cord stem cells is that they don't have as high a rejection rate as bone marrow. Whenever cells are transplanted into another body, there is a risk of "graft versus host disease." What this means is the body of the person receiving the cells is attacked by these cells. In essence, the newly injected cells attack the recipient's body. The risk of "graft versus host disease" is not as high when cord stem cells are used. Blood from an umbilical cord doesn't contain completely developed immune cells. These cells are less likely to cause the donor's body to attack them or for these cells to attack the donor's body. Cord stem cells, along with human embryonic stem cells and neural stem cells, are stored in cell banks around the world. After the birth of the baby, the blood from the umbilical cord is stored. Some parents actually request that stem cells from their child's umbilical cord be stored. Additional studies are taking place all the time to determine ways in which cord stem cells can help cure diseases. As with all stem cell research, the more scientists learn about the amazing properties of cord stem cells, the brighter the future becomes. |