Understanding Somatic (Adult)Stem Cells: Potential vs. Reality

Understanding Somatic (Adult)Stem Cells: Potential vs. Reality

In the adult mammal, reserve stem cells, both active and quiescent, serve as primary precursors for differentiated cells. They often provide replacement cells as needed during normal cell homeostasis or serve as residual stem cell sources during periods of stress, trauma or disease. Adult stem cells have a defined level of maturity, accompanied by stability of differentiation, are less likely to invoke an immune response and are often readily derived from reservoirs in bone marrow, blood, adipose tissue and a variety of placental related tissues. While certain adult stem cells are well established as normal cell precursors and used in the treatment of diseases, an expanding array of specific adult stem cells from muscle, heart, nervous tissue, etc. are being discovered and posited as cell progenitors for regenerative therapy. Current preclinical and clinical tests are designed to test the identity, safety, efficacy, and methodology of harvested stem cells or derived cell lines for therapy of specific disorders. Contemporary therapeutic venues, bio-cell, drug and treatment centers have proposed the use of specific adult stem cells for human therapy in regenerative medicine.