Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy - Volume 5, Issue 1, 2010

This issue of Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy marks the beginning of the fifth year for the journal. The mission of the journal is to keep our readership current with original and review articles that cover the whole spectrum of stem cell research and therapy. The field of stem cells is very different now as it was just 5 years ago. It is interesting to note the new concepts and technologies that have emerged since the journal Read More

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) differentiate spontaneously in culture and develop a complex microenvironment comprising of autologously derived niche that in turn supports their pluripotency. The basic hypothesis that we deal with is that hESCs undergoing differentiation, sequentially generate trophectoderm and endoderm lineages and thereafter influence further events through the production of growth factors. Thes Read More

Recent studies from our laboratory have shown that intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) mononuclear cells to mice improved blood glucose levels, atherosclerosis and prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the effect of HUCB cells on the production of IL-10 levels in IL-10 knockout mice. It has been proposed that administration of IL-10 may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory bowl Read More

In recent decades, there has been considerable amount of information about embryonic stem cells (ES). The dilemma facing scientists interested in the development and use of human stem cells in replacement therapies is the source of these cells, i.e. the human embryo. There are many ethical and moral problems related to the use of these cells. Hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood have been proposed as an alte Read More

Cell based-gene delivery has provided an important therapeutic strategy for different disorders in the recent years. This strategy is based on the transplantation of genetically modified cells to express specific genes and to target the delivery of therapeutic factors, especially for the treatment of cancers and neurological, immunological, cardiovascular and heamatopoietic disorders. Although, preliminary reports are encouragin Read More

Laboratory investigations of stems cells in regenerative medicine have generated considerable interest within recent years, however some of this excitement is yet to be matched in the clinical arena. Two fields that are well poised to make significant clinical impact in the coming years are those of cartilage and corneal regeneration. In the case of cornea, it is widely acknowledged that corneal epithelium is derived from an Read More

We present a novel, reverse thermo-responsive (RTR) polymeric osteogenic composite comprising demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and unmanipulated bone marrow cells (BMC) for repair of bone defects. The polymers investigated were low viscosity aqueous solutions at ambient temperature, which gel once they heat up and reach body temperature. Our goal to supplement DBM-BMC composite with RTR polymer Read More

A critical mechanism to maintain urinary continence in women and men is the striated muscle sphincter (rhabdosphincter) that forms a ring around the mid urethra. Cellular therapy and the use of stem cells transplanted into the site of the rhabdosphincter in a setting of stress urinary incontinence may augment sphincter regeneration. Implanted cells may also release trophic factors promoting muscle and nerve integr Read More

Sarcomas are the mesenchymal-derived malignant tumors of connective tissues (e.g., fat, bone, and cartilage) presumed to arise from aberrant development or differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Appropriate control of stem cell maintenance versus differentiation allows for normal connective tissue development. Current theories suggest that loss of this control-through accumulation of genetic lesions in MSC Read More

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to serve as a second messenger in the intracellular signal transduction pathway for a variety of cellular processes, including inflammation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, aging and cancer. Recently, ROS have been found to be associated with tumor metastasis involving the processes of tumor cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Emerging evidence also suggests that Epithelial- Read More

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise as therapeutic agents in regenerative medicine. Numerous animal studies have documented the multipotency of MSCs, showing their capabilities for differentiating into orthopedic tissues such as muscle, bone, cartilage, and tendon. However, the complication rate for autologous MSC therapy is only now beginning to be reported. Methods: Between 2005 and 2009, tw Read More