Stem cell therapy (NOT FINISHED)

Question 1

Name sources of stem cells.

Answer 1

• Bone marrow
• Adipose tissue
• Muscle
• Placenta
• Umbilical cord blood
• Amnion membrane
• Dental pulp
• Other..

Question 2

Name advantages of using adipose tissue-derived stem cells compared to other sources of stem cells.

Answer 2

• Harvesting can be done relatively fast and with minimal discomfort in the operation-complex via liposuction.
• Higher yield → significantly higher stem cell frequency than bone marrow per volume.
• Fresh ASC (adipose tissue-derived stem cells?) preparations exhibit multi-lineage potential
• Fresh ASC adhere rapidly to scaffolds and demonstrate proliferation- and differentiation capacity.

Question 3

• What is autologous mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy?
• Name advantages and disadvantages of autologous mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy.

Answer 3

• Autologous = derived from the same individual → using mesenchymal stem/stromal cells derived from the patient itself and using these to treat the disease.
• Advantage → no immune reaction
• Disadvantage → cost prohibitive, limited cell dose, donor variability issues, biologically unfit cells, cell product not readily available.

Question 4

• What is allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy?
• Name advantages and disadvantages of allogeneic mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy.

Answer 4

• Allogeneic = derived from an individual of the same species → using mesenchymal stem/stromal cells derived from a healthy donor and using these to treat the disease of a patient.
• Advantage → cost effective, biologically fit cells, unrestrictive cell dose, cell product readily available, no donor variability issues.
• Disadvantage → minimal risk of immune reactions

Question 5

What is meant with the concept of a one-step procedure?

Answer 5

Question 6

Describe the prerequisites for how a concept is turned into an application.

Answer 6

• Concept
• Test of concept in in vitro lab studies
• Development of, and/or use in, appropriate animal models
• Test of concept in these animal models
• If feasibility, safety and efficacy shown → clinical studies
• If not: why not? Additional testing modalities

Question 7

Describe how adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are derived from adipose tissue.

Answer 7

• Adipose tissue is digested by collagenase.
• The tissue is filtered and the red blood cells are removed (optional)
• The tissue is separated and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is isolated.
• SVF is cultured.

Question 8

How can adipose-derived stem cells be converted into e.g. specialised bone cells such as osteocytes?

Answer 8

By using specific growth factors. So via osteogenic differentiation (with e.g. BMP-2), an adipose-derived stem cells is converted into an osteoblast progenitor cells, into an osteoblast and lastly, into an osteocyte.

Question 9

What is meant with the “triggering” of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF)?

Answer 9

• SVF cells containing ASCs are treated for 15 minutes with 10 ng/ml BMP-2 or BMP-7.
• The cells are then cultured in a plain medium for 4-21 days (on culture tissue plastic or BCP scaffolds)
• Then, there’s RT-PCR analysis for osteogenic markers and alkaline phosphatase activity measurement.