Stem Cells and future therapeutics

Question 1

What are the two main cardinal properties/ roles of stem cells?

Answer 1

1. They can differentiate into any particular cell in a lineage (meaning they go from less specialised to more specialised
2. Replication (Self-renewal)

Question 2

What’s a zygote?

Answer 2

A fertilised egg

Question 3

What are the 3 principle germ layers that forms during gastrulation?

Answer 3

1. Endotherm
2. Mesoderm
3. Ectoderm

Question 4

What are totipotent cells?

Answer 4

Totipotent stem cells have the potential to develop into any cell found in the human body as well as making extra embryonic cells. They can make any entire organism

N.B. It can’t self-renew yet.

Embryonic cells within the first couple of cell divisions after fertilization are the only cells that are totipotent

Question 5

What are pluripotent stem cells?

Answer 5

Pluripotent cells can give rise to all of the cell types that make up the body, but cannot form the organism alone

Question 6

What are multipotent stem cells?

Answer 6

Multipotent stem cells can make all the cells but for a specific tissue or lineage e.g. only neuronal cells. They’re more limited than pluripotent cells

Question 7

Give examples of endodermal progenitors (3)

Answer 7

1. Thyroid cells
2. lung cells
3. Pancreatic cells
4. liver cells
5. Gut cells

Question 8

Give examples of ecotodermal progenitors (2)

Answer 8

1. Skin cells

2. Neurons and brain cells

Question 9

Give the 4 types of cells that mesodermal progenitors can be divided into

Answer 9

1. mesenchymal stem cells
2. endothelial progenitors
3. haematopoietic stem cells
4. Cardiac progenitors

Question 10

Give examples of mesenchymal stem cells (3)

Answer 10

1. Cartilage
2. Bone
3. Fat cells
4. Skeletal muscle

Question 11

Give examples of endothelial progenitors (2)

Answer 11

1. Arteries

2. Veins

Question 12

What’s the main role of oligodendrocytes?

Answer 12

To form the myelin sheath

Question 13

Give examples of haematopoietic stem cells (3)

Answer 13

1. RBCs
2. WBCs
3. Platelets

Question 14

What are the 2 different methods for ESC (embryonic stem cell) differentiation?

Answer 14

1. Developmental approach

2. Empirical approach (more efficient)

Question 15

What does iPSC stand for and what can it differentiate into?

Answer 15

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) can differentiate into the 3 germ layers:
1. Mesoderm
2. Ectoderm
3. Endoderm
In essence, it is possible to make any stem cell and make it more patient specific

N.B. They don’t come from an embryo

Question 16

What’s the biggest issue with ESC (embryonic stem cell) and possible iPSC?

Answer 16

Tumour genicity

Question 17

What is it that iPSCs can give us that ESCs can’t give us?

Answer 17

Patient and disease specificity