2. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Importance of Stem Cell ResearchImportance of Stem Cell Research
3. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
1998 - Researchers first extract stem cells from human
embryos
1999 - First Successful human transplant of insulin-
making cells from cadavers
2001 - President Bush restricts federal funding for
embryonic stem-cell research
2002 - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
International creates $20 million fund-raising effort
to support stem-cell research
2002 - California ok stem cell research
2004 - Harvard researchers grow stem cells from embryos
using private funding
2004 - Ballot measure for $3 Billion bond for stem cells
Stem Cell HistoryStem Cell History
4. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Stem Cell – DefinitionStem Cell – Definition
• A cell that has the ability toA cell that has the ability to
continuously divide and differentiatecontinuously divide and differentiate
(develop) into various other kind(s) of(develop) into various other kind(s) of
cells/tissuescells/tissues
5. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Stem Cell CharacteristicsStem Cell Characteristics
‘‘Blank cells’ (unspecialized)Blank cells’ (unspecialized)
Capable of dividing and renewingCapable of dividing and renewing
themselves for long periods of timethemselves for long periods of time
(proliferation and renewal)(proliferation and renewal)
Have the potential to give rise toHave the potential to give rise to
specialized cell types (differentiation)specialized cell types (differentiation)
7. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Kinds of Stem CellsKinds of Stem Cells
Stem cellStem cell
typetype DescriptionDescription ExamplesExamples
TotipotentTotipotent
Each cell can developEach cell can develop
into a new individualinto a new individual
Cells from early (1-Cells from early (1-
3 days) embryos3 days) embryos
PluripotentPluripotent
Cells can form any (overCells can form any (over
200) cell types200) cell types
Some cells ofSome cells of
blastocyst (5 to 14blastocyst (5 to 14
days)days)
MultipotentMultipotent
Cells differentiated, butCells differentiated, but
can form a number ofcan form a number of
other tissuesother tissues
Fetal tissue, cordFetal tissue, cord
blood, and adultblood, and adult
stem cellsstem cells
8. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Stem Cell DifferentiationStem Cell Differentiation
Princeton University
9. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Kinds of Stem CellsKinds of Stem Cells
Embryonic stem cells come from a five to six-day-old embryo. They
have the ability to form virtually any type of cell found in the human
body.
Embryonic germ cells are derived from the part of a human embryo or
foetus that will ultimately produce eggs or sperm (gametes).
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among specialised or
differentiated cells in a tissue or organ after birth. Based on current
research they appear to have a more restricted ability to produce
different cell types and to self-renew.
11. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Sexual ReproductionSexual Reproduction
The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
12. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Stages of EmbryogenesisStages of Embryogenesis
Day 1
Fertilized egg
Day 2
2-cell embryo Day 3-4
Multi-cell embryo
Day 5-6
BlastocystDay 11-14
Tissue Differentiation
13. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Derivation and Use ofDerivation and Use of
Embryonic Stem Cell LinesEmbryonic Stem Cell Lines
Isolate inner cell mass
(destroys embryo)
Heart muscleKidney
“Special sauce”
(largely unknown)
Day 5-6
Blastocyst
Inner cells
(forms fetus)
Outer cells
(forms placenta)
Heart
repaired
Culture cells
34. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Unknowns in StemUnknowns in Stem
Cell/Cloning ResearchCell/Cloning Research
• It is uncertain that humanIt is uncertain that human
embryonic stem cellsembryonic stem cells in vitroin vitro cancan
give rise to all the different cellgive rise to all the different cell
types of the adult body.types of the adult body.
• It is unknown if stem cellsIt is unknown if stem cells
culturedcultured in vitroin vitro (apart from the(apart from the
embryo) will function as the cellsembryo) will function as the cells
do when they are part of thedo when they are part of the
developing embryodeveloping embryo
35. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Challenges to StemChallenges to Stem
Cell/Cloning ResearchCell/Cloning Research
• Stem cells need to beStem cells need to be
differentiated to thedifferentiated to the
appropriate cell type(s)appropriate cell type(s)
beforebefore they can be usedthey can be used
clinically.clinically.
• Recently, abnormalities inRecently, abnormalities in
chromosome number andchromosome number and
structure were found instructure were found in
three human ESC lines.three human ESC lines.
36. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Challenges to StemChallenges to Stem
Cell/Cloning ResearchCell/Cloning Research
• Stem cell development or proliferationStem cell development or proliferation
must be controlled once placed intomust be controlled once placed into
patients.patients.
• Possibility of rejection of stem cellPossibility of rejection of stem cell
transplants as foreign tissues is very high.transplants as foreign tissues is very high.
37. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Challenges to StemChallenges to Stem
Cell/Cloning ResearchCell/Cloning Research
• Contamination by viruses, bacteria, fungi,Contamination by viruses, bacteria, fungi,
and Mycoplasma possible.and Mycoplasma possible.
• The use of mouse “feeder” cells to growThe use of mouse “feeder” cells to grow
ESC could result in problems due toESC could result in problems due to
xenotransplantation (complicating FDAxenotransplantation (complicating FDA
requirements for clinical use).requirements for clinical use).
38. 08/14/1308/14/13 Dr. Hariom YadavDr. Hariom Yadav
Stem cell and cloningStem cell and cloning
Immune rejectionImmune rejection
Somatic cell nuclear transferSomatic cell nuclear transfer
Stem cells are different from other cells of the body in that they have the ability to differentiate into other cell/tissue types. This ability allows them to replace cells that have died. With this ability, they have been used to replace defective cells/tissues in patients who have certain diseases or defects.
Common variants, called polymorphisms, occur at greater than 1% frequency I have given some examples of how exposure induced risk is modified in various ways Typically the effects are modest in magnitude. We are interested in how genetics modifies Exposure and exposure-related diseases Because…..
Stem cells can be classified into three broad categories, based on their ability to differentiate. Totipotent stem cells are found only in early embryos. Each cell can form a complete organism (e.g., identical twins). Pluripotent stem cells exist in the undifferentiated inner cell mass of the blastocyst and can form any of the over 200 different cell types found in the body. Multipotent stem cells are derived from fetal tissue, cord blood and adult stem cells. Although their ability to differentiate is more limited than pluripotent stem cells, they already have a track record of success in cell-based therapies. Here is a current list of the sources of stem cells: Embryonic stem cells - are harvested from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst seven to ten days after fertilization. Fetal stem cells - are taken from the germline tissues that will make up the gonads of aborted fetuses. Umbilical cord stem cells - Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells similar to those found in bone marrow. Placenta derived stem cells - up to ten times as many stem cells can be harvested from a placenta as from cord blood. Adult stem cells - Many adult tissues contain stem cells that can be isolated.
Every cell contains a complete copy of “the blueprint of life” DNA consists of two strands of nucleotides - 4 bases (A,G,T,C) 23 pairs of chromosomes If unwound and tied together, human DNA in one cell would stretch ~ 5 feet, but would be only 50 trillionths of an inch wide! Genes are specific sequences of DNA, each of which “codes” for a protein with a specific function Genes are copied each time a cell divides, passing on the blueprint
The early stages of embryogenesis are the point at which embryonic stem cell lines are derived. The fertilized egg (day 1) undergoes cell division to form a 2-cell embryo, followed by 4-cell, etc. until a ball of cells is formed by the fourth day. The ball becomes hollow, forming the blastocyst. This is the stage at which pluripotent embryonic stem cell lines are generated. Following the blastocyst stage, the tissues of the embryo start to form and the cells become multipotent.
The inner cell mass (the part that would form the fetus) of the embryo is isolated and disrupted to form embryonic cell lines. This process destroys the embryo. Under special culture conditions, the cells of the embryonic lines can be coaxed to form certain kinds of differentiated cell types. In theory, these differentiated cells could be used to repair or replace defective cells or tissues.
Human embryonic stem cells have been studied only recently, so their capabilities are, as of yet, unknown. In theory, the embryonic stem cells are able to form every cell type (which is what they do in the embryo). However, the conditions in culture might not be able to recreate the conditions that give rise to many tissues in the intact embryo. In addition to these unknowns, it is uncertain that the cultured stem cells will function the same as cells that have been developed within the embryo. For example, in a recent study, insulin-producing cells derived from murine embryonic stem cells failed to produce the insulin when transplanted into mice, but only formed tumors. 1 In addition, it is uncertain that these lines will continue to proliferate indefinitely without undergoing genetic mutations that render them useless. According to the President's Council on Bioethics: "It is not yet known whether any preparation of human ES cells (generally believed to be much longer-lived than adult stem cells) will continue to grow 'indefinitely,' without undergoing genetic changes." 2 References S. Sipione et al. 2004. Insulin expressing cells from differentiated embryonic stem cells are not beta cells. Diabetologia 47: 499-508. "Recent Developments in Stem Cell Research." Monitoring Stem Cell Research . The President's Council on Bioethics, January 2004.
In order to be used clinically, human embryonic stem cells must be differentiated prior to use in patients. Undifferentiated stem cells could produce tumors and multiply unchecked within a patient, causing more problems than providing appropriate therapy. It is uncertain if conditions can be defined such that all embryonic stem cells differentiate into the correct cell type prior to therapeutic use. Complications caused by undifferentiated cells might not be discovered until years after the first clinical trials are begun. This differentiation problem is acknowledged on the International Society for Stem Cell Research website: "Scientists are still working on developing proper conditions to differentiate embryonic stem cells into specialized cells. As embryonic stem cells grow very fast, scientists must be very careful in fully differentiating them into specialized cells. Otherwise, any remaining embryonic stem cells can grow uncontrolled and form tumors." 1 Recently, three established stem cell lines were shown to exhibit abnormalities in chromosome number and structure. 2, 3 Obviously, stem cell lines must be checked periodically to make sure the cells do not become abnormal during continued culture. The use of abnormal cells in treatment of patients could result in indeterminate complications. References "Frequently Asked Questions." International Society for Stem Cell Research. Draper, J.S., et al., "Recurrent gain of chromosomes 17q and 12 in cultured human embryonic stem cells," Nature Biotechnology December 7, 2003, advance online publication. C. Cowan et al. 2004. Derivation of Embryonic Stem-Cell Lines from Human Blastocysts. New England Journal of Medicine 350: 1353-1356.
Undifferentiated stem cells could produce tumors and multiply unchecked within a patient, causing more problems than providing appropriate therapy. According to a recent article ion the New England Journal of Medicine : "There are still many hurdles to clear before embryonic stem cells can be used therapeutically. For example, because undifferentiated embryonic stem cells can form tumors after transplantation in histocompatible animals, it is important to determine an appropriate state of differentiation before transplantation. Differentiation protocols for many cell types have yet to be established. Targeting the differentiated cells to the appropriate organ and the appropriate part of the organ is also a challenge.” Harvard scientists reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that five out of the 19 mice injected with embryonic stem cells developed tumors and died." 2 Stem cell lines will suffer the same tissue rejection problems as adult transplants. Once differentiated, these cells will express the HLA tissue antigens programmed by their parental DNA. These antigens must match those of the recipient or else tissue rejection will occur. An admission of the problem of immune rejection can be found from The Scientist : "[W]ithin the [embryonic stem cell] research community, realism has overtaken early euphoria as scientists realize the difficulty of harnessing ESCs safely and effectively for clinical applications. After earlier papers in 2000 and 2001 identified some possibilities, research continued to highlight the tasks that lie ahead in steering cell differentiation and avoiding side effects, such as immune rejection and tumorigenesis.” 1 References E. Phimister and J. Drazen. 2004. Two Fillips for Human Embryonic Stem Cells.” New England Journal of Medicine 350: 1351-1352. Bjorklund, L. M., R. Sanchez-Pernaute, et al. 2002 "Embryonic stem cells develop into functional dopaminergic neurons after transplantation in a Parkinson rat model." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 99: 2344-2349. Hunter, Philip. 2003. Differentiating Hope from Embryonic Stem Cells. The Scientist 17: 31.
Like all immortal cell lines, embryonic stem cell lines must be protected and checked for contamination with viruses, bacteria, fungi, and Mycoplasma . The use of infected lines in patient treatment could have devastating effects. Many embryonic stem cell lines are grown using mouse feeder cells. The mouse cells help the embryonic lines to grow, but pose risks for transplantation due to compatibility problems in human bodies. 1 Reference Kennedy, Donald. 2003. Stem Cells: Still Here, Still Waiting. Science 300: 865.
Every cell contains a complete copy of “the blueprint of life” DNA consists of two strands of nucleotides - 4 bases (A,G,T,C) 23 pairs of chromosomes If unwound and tied together, human DNA in one cell would stretch ~ 5 feet, but would be only 50 trillionths of an inch wide! Genes are specific sequences of DNA, each of which “codes” for a protein with a specific function Genes are copied each time a cell divides, passing on the blueprint