Frontiers in Stem cells and expected plausible solutions of unsolved biological questions

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Undifferentiated/unspecialized cells with the capacity to regenerate and divide to become differentiated cells are known as stem cells. They exist in both adults and embryos and are distinct in that Embryonic stem (ES) cells have the capacity to give rise to a variety of cell types that are crucial for growth and development. Unipotent, multipotent, and pluripotent cells are the three types of these cells. Pluripotent stem cells have the capacity to give rise to every form of cell in an organism, but multipotent stem cells are restricted to just a few types and unipotent stem cells can only give rise to one type of cell.

 

While adult stem cells are easier to acquire, obtaining ES cells possess ethical concerns. At this time, Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka discovered a method to reprogram the somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) utilizing the four Yamanaka factors (sox2, KLF4, Oct3/4, and c-Myc). These Yamanaka factors regulate how DNA is copied for translation into other proteins. The iPSCs obtained have the potential to give rise to all types of cells and thus can be used in treating several diseases without needing a zygote.

 

So, how can the value of these stem cells in addressing contemporary biological issues be demonstrated?

Stem cell's role in the treatment of several incurable diseases is being researched extensively and its role in some diseases has been established through rigorous clinical testing and trials. Stem cell therapy is also used to treat a wide range of conditions affecting the immune system, heart, and retina. Furthermore, stem cells can be used to test new medications in addition to being helpful in the treatment of illnesses. The risk of injuring any living testers if any unfavorable side effects occur can be reduced by testing the novel drug formula on cells or tissues made from pluripotent stem cells.

 

Furthermore, stem cells are frequently utilized to heal damaged tissue by administering tissue-specific stem cells directly to the affected area. This kind of stem cell therapy is frequently used for osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, stroke, neurodegenerative illnesses, multiple sclerosis, and wound healing. Heart disease patients can receive heart muscle transplants by using stem cell therapy to create new heart muscle cells. Additionally, it has been discovered through research that primary human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) stem cells can be used to generate teeth (milk teeth). The ability of SHED cells to develop solid tissues like bone, tooth, and connective tissue makes them special. Unexpectedly, it was revealed in 2013 that human urine-derived pluripotent stem cells could be differentiated to produce tooth-like structures; the only restriction was the absence of hardness. It was noted that no tumors formed while employing these stem cells, making this method of isolating stem cells a very promising one.

 

After subsequent analysis, scientists were able to create sperm and eggs from iPSCs, which when fertilized created a zygote and was successfully delivered. For individuals who are at risk of losing their spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) as a result of any disease, this area of stem cells could be very valuable. In addition, numerous studies have determined that stem cell therapy is the optimal treatment option for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Not only may the disease's progression be slowed down, but it can also be completely eradicated with the right application.

 

Although the contribution of stem cells in the treatment of diseases has been established, it goes beyond that. As the body ages, the human body undergoes its own system of wear and tear, which can result in adult stem cells losing their functionality and developing age-related illnesses. Scientists are working around the clock to either slow down or fully reverse the ageing process because of humans' fascination with immortality. The "Nanog" gene, which is found in stem cells and serves as a regenerative agent by reactivating muscle cells lost to ageing, was introduced to achieve this. The transcription factor Nanog promotes self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. It is an essential transcription regulator that simultaneously activates the repressors and suppresses the differentiation-activating genes. It was initially discovered in mouse embryonic stem cells.

 

The necessity for organ transplants is increasing in today's healthcare system as a result of an increase in occurrences of organ failure. An organ is a valuable resource, and transplanting one has its own drawbacks such as immune system rejection. The ideal solution to this issue, which will lower the rate of immunological rejection, is to create organs from a person's own stem cells. To validate its effectiveness, more studies and trials are required. Furthermore, stem cells have a high likelihood of proliferating uncontrollably after being implanted, which could result in the development of tumors. If stem cells could be designed with a tumors suppression gene or any oncogene could be deleted before implantation to avoid such side effects. Although there is now no known cure for many critical diseases including cancer, heart disease, etc., it is hoped that stem cell therapy will be the sole practical treatment option.

 

Mahla R. S. (2016). Stem Cells Applications in Regenerative Medicine and Disease Therapeutics. International journal of cell biology, 2016, 6940283. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6940283

 

Ude, C.C., Miskon, A., Idrus, R.B.H. et al. Application of stem cells in tissue engineering for defense medicine. Military Med Res 5, 7 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40779-018-0154-9

 

Volponi, A. A., Pang, Y., & Sharpe, P. T. (2010). Stem cell-based biological tooth repair and regeneration. Trends in cell biology, 20(12), 715–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2010.09.012

 

Zakrzewski, W., DobrzyÅ„ski, M., Szymonowicz, M. et al. Stem cells: past, present, and future. Stem Cell Res Ther 10, 68 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5

 

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/this-stem-cell-gene-is-called-nanog-and-it-could-reverse-ageing

 

 

By: Kainat Fatima

 

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