Development Applications Flashcards
Which types of human stem cells are totipotent and pluripotent?
Totipotent is the cells from the inner cell mass from blastocyst
Pluripotent is amniotic prenatal stem cells and adult stem cells, but the latter is more limited
What is an extracellular matrix?
Unique collection of strucutral oand functional molecules that act as a manuals for organisms to heal themselves
Chemotherapy can completely deplete bone marrow cells because..
it targets duplicating cells, which is usually cancer cells, but can be other cells
What is a negative side effect of stem cell therapy?
Unexpected tumour growth
What are 2 things stem cells can do?
- Create more stem cells
- Differentiate to make specialised cells
What are 3 types of human stem cells?
- Embryonic Stem cells, from the inner cells mass of blastocysts
- Amniotic prenatal stem cells, cells obtained from the amniotic sac
- Adult stem cells, found in places like the bone marrow and skin
Which human stem cells are considered to be controversial due to where they are sourced?
Embryonic stem cells
What are adult system cells usually used for?
Tissue maintenance and repairs
During wound healing, _________ stem cells divide and migrate into the wound area
epidermal
What causes stem cells to differentiate into different fates?
Chemical and physical cell-cell signals from surrounding cells
What kickstarted interest in regenerative technology?
Observing limb regeneration in other animals
What organisms can regenerate whole limbs and bodies?
Flatworm, hydra, axolotl, starfish, young alligators
What are the 3 developmental axes?
- Proximal vs Distal: Shoulder to hand
- Anterior vs Posterior: Digits 1 to 5
- Dorsal vs Ventral: Side away and side next to body
Describe briefly how regeneration occurs in organisms like salamanders
- Wound site creates a bud with 2 signalling centres
- A progress zone is create, where cells reproduce and differentiate according to the signalling centres
What is stem cell therapy?
Using stem cells to treat or prevent diseases and conditions
What are some application of stem cell therapy?
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Nerve regeneration
- Tissue and limb regeneration
How do axolotls regenerate?
- Injury site forms a blastema, where cells move to and dedifferentiate
- These cells become stem cells and multiply, the differentiate into the required cells
Why do humans not regenerate?
No clear cut. It might be genes, but not sure.
Instead of regenerating amputated limbs, humans…
Grow skin over the injury site
What is one major organ in the human that can repair itself? What does this imply for transplants?
Liver
We only transplant 40-70% of a liver, then the recipient and donor regenerate the rest
How can extracellular matrix be applied to humans?
As a hydrogel, powder, or bioscaffold/sheet
How does the extracellular matrix promote regeneration?
- Apply to wound
- Stem cell recruitment/proliferation is stimulated
- Profit
It provides physical and chemical signals that can induce stem cell recruitment and proliferation.
How can stem cells be used after chemotherapy?
Remove stems cells prior to treatment. Then, transplant into patient after chemo to reintroduce healthy stem cells in an attempt to help the body recover from the treatment
How can stem cells treat knee arthritis?
- Occurs because joint produces fewer stem cells as we age. Damage is not repaired
- Remove stem cells then inject into knee joint to try and stimulate cell renewal
