Stem Cells in the Spotlight

Stem Cells in the SpotlightStem Cells in the Spotlight

Louisa A. Stark, Ph.D.

OverviewOverview

What is a Stem Cell ? Why are we interested in stem cells? Where do stem cells exist? How are stem cells collected ? Why are stem cells interesting to researchers ? What are current and future stem cell

treatments? What support exists for stem cell research?

The building blocks of the body

A cell whose job in the body is not yet determined

Every other cell in the body “stems” from this type of cell

What is a Stem Cell?What is a Stem Cell?

A stem cell specializes into a particular cell depending upon the signals it receives

http://www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/images/lab.jpg

What is a Stem Cell?What is a Stem Cell?Stem Cell Guy!

To repair a damaged tissue that can not heal

itself.

To repair a damaged tissue that can not heal

itself. spinal cord nerve cells

diabetes (pancreas)

heart disease

blood disorders

burns

neurological disorders

Why Are We Interested in Stem Cells?Why Are We Interested in Stem Cells?

““Adult” (developed) Adult” (developed) tissuestissuesbone

marrow

Where do Stem Cells Exist?Where do Stem Cells Exist?

Umbilical cord Umbilical cord bloodblood

Fetus



Early embryoBlastocyst

Developing embryo

allCan become

types of cells in the body

mostCan become


some

Can become


Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?

Use of some of these kinds of stem cells is

controversial.

Bone marrow

Blood

How are Adult Stem Cells Collected?How are Adult Stem Cells Collected?

How are Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Collected?How are Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Collected?

Prematurely terminated fetuses

How are Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cells Collected?How are Fetal and Embryonic Stem Cells Collected?

Associated

Press

Surplus in vitro fertilized (IVF) eggs

What is a stem cell?

Where are stem cells found?

How are stem cells collected?


from IVF embryos

Nearly 400,000 IFV embryos are in storage in the US; almost as many are discarded each year

Creating Stem Cells in the LaboratoryCreating Stem Cells in the Laboratory

Stem Cell Lines for Federally-funded ResearchStem Cell Lines for Federally-funded Research

therapeutic cloning/regenerative medicine

Our genetic material, DNA, is packaged into chromosomes.

Every cell in our body has the same genetic material


DNACell

Chromosomes


Embryonic stem cells from therapeutic

cloning



cloning


cloning



cloning



cloning


Creating stem cells in the laboratory

IVF embryos

Therapeutic cloning/regenerative medicine


allCan become


mostCan become


some

Can become


Leukemia Diabetes Spinal Cord Injuries

Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?Why are the Different Kinds of Stem Cells Interesting to Researchers?

Leukemia Disease: cancer of the blood

Symptoms: easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue

Treatments:

chemotherapy

radiation therapy

stem cell therapy bone marrow transplant

circulating blood stem cells

umbilical cord blood stem cells

Stem Cell TreatmentsStem Cell Treatments

Can become SOME types of cells

DiabetesDisease: Type I, disorder of the

body’s immune system against the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas

Symptoms: extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness, vision changes; can lead to blindness, kidney or heart diseaseTreatments:

insulin injections

islet transplants

stem cell therapy (experimental models) embryonic stem cells from mice can specialize into

insulin-producing cells

researchers are exploring using proteins to spur cell differentiation


Can become MOST types of cells

Spinal Cord Injuries Damage is irreversible in a nerve cell

Structures: dendrites and axons

Experimental treatments (model systems)

treat ESCs to mature into nerve cells before transplantation (in vitro)

directly implant and depend on signals from the brain to mature the cells lab rats transplanted with ESCs

human ESCs transplanted into rats


Can become ALL types of cells

Neuron

axon

dendrites

Heart Disease Adult bone marrow stem cells injected into heart arteries are believed to improve cardiac function in victims of heart attack or heart failure


Rheumatoid Arthritis In human trials, joint pain lessened temporarily after adult stem cell therapy in some patients, and some then responded better to standard drug therapy

How might cloned embryonic stem cells be

used? Exact genetic match for patient

Potential to become all types of cells

Challenge: how to direct the stem cells to specialize


How about using stem cells for cosmetics? Fat tissue with stem

cells taken from stomach or thighs

Used to create new fat cells and coax the growth of new blood vessels Stem cells from fat could be used for repairing heart muscle, bone fractures, and other stem cell therapies

Doctors repaired a large gap in a young girl’s skull using a bone graft and fat stem cells


Could stem cells be used for organ transplants?

Choose the right type of stem cell

Coax to grow and divide

Feed with signals to differentiate

Provide a physical scaffold

Stem Cell Treatments in the FutureStem Cell Treatments in the Future

Could we direct stem cells in the body to behave a certain way?

Stem Cell Treatments in the FutureStem Cell Treatments in the Future

SCIENCE SUMMARY The basics of stem cells

Current and future research and medical treatment possibilities

The different types of stem cells

Early embryonic ALL cells

spinal cord injuriestherapeutic cloning

Embryonic/fetal MOST cells

diabetes limited research resources

Adult SOME cells

leukemia possibly specialized already


U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives PassedPassed

“Stem Cell Research Enhancement “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act”Act”

Bill would allow the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund stem cell research using embryos from fertility clinics that otherwise would be discarded

Embryos could only be used if the donors agreed and were not paid

Stem Cell Legislation – May 2005Stem Cell Legislation – May 2005

Vote = 238 to 194 *short of the 2/3 supermajority necessary to override a presidential veto

53% of adults back “Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act”

35% disagree with the proposal

12% didn't know or declined to answer

Public Opinion Poll – Salt Lake Tribune June 8-10, 2005

In support of this legislation: Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett

and Rep. Jim Matheson

Oppose this legislation: Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon

When does life begin?

Should surplus IVF embryos be used for research?

Is an embryo from therapeutic cloning considered a human life?

What is acceptable use of stem cell technology? Medical treatments? Cosmetic enhancements?

What do you want your tax money to fund?

ControversiesControversies

More Information – http://gslc.genetics.utah.eduMore Information – http://gslc.genetics.utah.eduGenetic Science Learning Center Website

The Eccles Institute of Human Genetics University of Utah

Special ThanksSpecial Thanks

Documents

Stem Cells in the Spotlight