Cord Blood Stem Cells Medicine

Cord Blood Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine discusses the current applications for cord blood stem cells and techniques for banking cord blood. Cord blood, blood from the umbilical cord and placenta of an infant, represents an alternate source of stem cells that can be used to treat a myriad of disorders. Cord blood stem cells are being used more frequently and studied more seriously, as evidenced by the explosion of scientific literature on the topic. Currently, clinical and pre-clinical trials are being done in the field, treating conditions as severe as heart failure. Coupled with regenerative medicine, cord blood stem cells potentially carry the future of research and medicine in treating tissue damage, genetic disorders, and degenerative diseases. Read about new applications for cord blood stem cells and new techniques for banking cord blood — the future of regenerative medicine therapy. Comprehensive coverage of the medical application of cord blood stem cells Practical guide for usage of allogeneic and autologous cord blood in regenerative medicine Covers new applications of cord blood stem cells, particularly transplantation and HIV Introduces new technologies for cord blood stem cells and regenerative medicine

Umbilical cord blood, previously discarded after birth, has emerged over recent years as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for hematological reconstitution, mainly for leukemia patients, as well as for some hematological deficiencies and bone marrow failures. In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that cord blood, as well as the surrounding tissue of the umbilical cord, contain additional stem cells which have been shown to be of great potential for regenerative medicine. Importantly, cord blood is abundant, it can be banked and shipped with ease, and thus has an indisputable potential for future medicines and regenerative therapies. Driven by a massive interest for regenerative medicine and alternative yet ethically acceptable stem cell sources, the scientific literature on umbilical cord and cord blood stem cells has increased tremendously. This book provides a consolidated, up-to-date overview of basic research on hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells contained within umbilical cord tissue, as well as other more recently described stem and precursor cells of not yet fully elucidated potential. It also takes an in-depth look at basic and translational research efforts with stem cells from the umbilical cord in academic institutions and biotech companies. Suitable for use as a primer and reference book by medical fellows and researchers entering the research fields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, it can also be used by students (undergraduate and graduate) as a starting point for read-up on the literature on stem cells and their potential and applications, or as a teaching tool in graduate schools for biologists, particularly for students wanting to enter the emerging field of stem cell biology.

With the potential for self-renewal and differentiation, the possibilities for stem cells are enormous. One specific type of stem cell, the hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC), which is derived from umbilical cord blood (as well as adult bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood), holds particular promise. To make the most of these HPCs, the Institute of Medicine was asked to consider the optimal structure for a national cord blood program and to address pertinent issues related to maximizing the potential of stem cell technology. This book examines: The role of cord blood in stem cell transplantation; The current status of blood banks already in existence; The optimal structure for the cord blood program; The current use and utility of cord blood for stem cell transplants; The best way to advance the use of cord blood units and make them available for research.

With the potential for self-renewal and differentiation, the possibilities for stem cells are enormous. One specific type of stem cell, the hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC), which is derived from umbilical cord blood (as well as adult bone marrow and mobilized peripheral blood), holds particular promise. To make the most of these HPCs, the Institute of Medicine was asked to consider the optimal structure for a national cord blood program and to address pertinent issues related to maximizing the potential of stem cell technology. Cord Blood: Establishing a National Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank Program examines: The role of cord blood in stem cell transplantation The current status of blood banks already in existence The optimal structure for the cord blood program The current use and utility of cord blood for stem cell transplants The best way to advance the use of cord blood units and make them available for research Expert advice from leaders in the fields of economics, public health, medicine, and biostatistics combine to make this very timely and topical book useful to a number of stakeholders.

Cord blood is a significant source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for the treatment of blood and genetic disorders. Cord blood is also an alternative to embryos as a source of tissue for regenerative medicine. Cells from cord blood have been shown to transdifferentiate into nonhematopoietic cells, including those of the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, bone, and cartilage, in tissue culture and in animal systems. Recently it has been demonstrated that both cardiac and glial cell differentiation of cord blood donor cells occurred in recipients of unrelated donor cord blood transplantation as part of a treatment regime for Krabbe disease and Sanfilippo syndrome. These observations raise the possibility that cord blood may serve as a source of cells to facilitate tissue repair and regeneration in the future. CD34 stem cell-rich umbilical cord whole blood transfusion has the potential to have an immediate benefit of better tissue oxygenation with an additional delayed benefit of possible engraftment of umbilical cord stem cells.

Recent scientific breakthroughs, celebrity patient advocates, and conflicting religious beliefs have come together to bring the state of stem cell researchâ€"specifically embryonic stem cell researchâ€"into the political crosshairs. President Bush's watershed policy statement allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but only on a limited number of stem cell lines. Millions of Americans could be affected by the continuing political debate among policymakers and the public. Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people. Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, thereby allowing nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. Proper vascular development in the placenta is fundamental to ensuring a healthy fetus and successful pregnancy. This book provides an up-to-date summary and synthesis of knowledge regarding placental vascular biology and discusses the relevance of this vascular bed to the functions of the human placenta.

This book exemplifies experience across the globe in banking of cord blood, mesenchymal, embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells for clinical use from the United States, Canada, the European Union, Switzerland and Japan to Iran, India and Serbia. The concerns are similar regardless of stem cell type or origin. Implementing core values and common standards depend often on specific circumstances of political and economic setting, which makes flexibility as important as systematic planning. Banking of stem cells is not just building a repository and storing samples. The planning, design, construction and maintenance involve multiple skilled professionals. Stem cell banks are points where technology and medicine converge with ethics, laws and regulations. If properly designed and organized, their utilization will have a broad impact not only on the scientific community and medical professionals but also on the general public.