Cells, Umbilical

UMBILICAL CELLS ARE a type of adult stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood. More specifically, umbilical cells refer to the hematopoietic stem cells, also known as undifferentiated blood cells, found in the umbilical cord. Because the umbilical stem cells are the precursor blood cells, they can develop into other cell types such as platelets, macrophages, and thymus cells, commonly known as T—cells. In light of this unique property, physicians use umbilical cord stem cells to treat patients who cannot generate normal blood cells as a result of genetic diseases such as leukemia.

Because these cells exhibit characteristics similar to embryonic stem cells, some researchers state that umbilical cord cells could have the potential to differentiate into liver cells, neurons, heart muscles, or even cartilage—a property known as plasticity. Because the umbilical stem cells possess a degree of plasticity similar to that of embryonic stem cells, researchers have engaged in rigorous investigation and hope to use umbilical cells in extensive stem cell therapy.

Considering the aforementioned properties, umbilical cord cells can have lifesaving therapeutic effects and may be useful in treating more diseases. In light of these beneficial characteristics, more and more parents are choosing to store umbilical blood for future use. Compared with adult stem cells derived from bone marrow, umbilical stem cells yield fewer complications during treatment and are also more responsive to drugs.

Controversy surrounds the use of embryonic stem cells because the extraction of cells results in the destruction of the embryo—an act some equate to the destruction of human life. The use of umbilical cord stem cells, in contrast, does not raise the aforementioned concern. Although the use of umbilical cord stem cells raises less debate, some disagreement still exists regarding the viability of the cells after long—term storage and the therapeutic efficacy of umbilical stem cells.

Public or private umbilical cord banks are available for those who wish to donate or store their cord blood cells. Otherwise, parents can choose to discard the umbilical cells.

Depending on the consensus reached between the physician and the chosen cord blood bank, umbilical cord blood can be obtained in one of two ways. First, the cord blood can be collected by draining the blood into a sterile bag that is sealed on completion. The second method obtains umbilical cord cells by drawing the blood into a syringe.

To ensure the quality of the umbilical cells, health professionals consider the first 15 minutes after birth to be the prime time to collect cord blood. Collecting cord blood after this window results in poor cell quality. On receiving the collected umbilical blood, scientists conduct a series of tests to eliminate bacterial contamination. Once the cord bank has conducted all the necessary tests, the sample is then processed and stored cryogenically (in liquid nitrogen). During regular [Page 89]intervals, umbilical cord blood banks would perform viability tests on the stored cells to determine the percentage of live cells. At present, there is no indication as to how long the umbilical cells will stay viable.

The breakthrough in stem cell research brought hope to patients suffering from cancers and rare genetic disorders. More specifically, ailments such as sickle cell anemia, non—Hodgkin's lymphoma, Kostmann syndrome, and osteoporosis can now be treated with stem cells. In the aforementioned illnesses, implanted healthy stem cells in the patients can replace blood cells either damaged or destroyed by the diseases or during chemotherapy. In addition to treating the patients suffering from cancers and various genetic disorders, umbilical cord cell therapy could also benefit those plagued by cardiovascular diseases. Japanese researchers discovered that implanting umbilical cells in the heart would not only stimulate new vessel growth but also increase blood flow. Such discovery holds promise for patients for whom heart bypass surgery and angioplasty have proven to be ineffective.

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