Stem cells are unique cells that can transform into other forms of cells in the human body. This makes them valuable in conducting research in the medical field and in the development of treatment for various diseases. It is divided into two categories, namely the adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Both are promising but they aren’t the same. Five of the most significant differences are discussed in this article.
1. Potency
A stem cell’s potential depends on the other kinds of cells it can transform into. Compared to embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells exhibit a bit different potential. Adult stem cells are categorized as multipotent, which indicates that they can only develop into a related group of cells only. For instance, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into all types of blood cells but not cells of tissues. Embryonic stem cells are also called pluripotent stem cells because they can turn into any form of cell within the body. This greater flexibility makes embryonic stem cells important for research and treatment.
2. Origin
According to the Stemaid Institute, adult stem cells are present in the fully developed organs and tissues of the human body, including bone marrow, fat tissue, blood from the umbilical cord, liver, and so on. They act to replace cells that have died because of injury or because their natural life cycle has ended. Embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos fertilized in vivo and are usually between four and five days old. The stem cells are extracted from the inner cell mass of the early embryo, in a process that leads to its destruction. These cells can develop into any cell type in the body, which makes them highly valuable for research. However, their use involves complex scientific considerations.
3. Proliferation
Adult stem cells are somewhat more restricted in their ability to proliferate and differentiate. Their main function is to support tissue integrity rather than to reproduce rapidly. This poses a problem when it comes to sourcing large, clinically relevant amounts of these compounds. By contrast embryonic stem cells themselves have immense capacity for cell division within certain conditions. They have a nearly unlimited ability to self-renew, which makes it easier to produce the amount needed for therapeutic use. Nevertheless, embryonic stem cells’ regulation and the differentiation of certain cell lineages remain challenging.
4. Therapeutic Potential
Therapeutic potential is an application of adult stem cells that can repair tissues in the process of regeneration. These cells are utilized for the treatment of Lyme’s disease and other disorders. Other stem cell therapies employing different adult cell types continue to be researched. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells can produce specialized progenitor and differentiated cells for treating conditions like diabetes, neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, liver disorders, cardiovascular diseases, spinal cord disorders, and other diseases resulting from cell degeneration. However, the full potential of these cells in treating such illnesses has not yet been realized.
5. Longevity and Stability
Compared to other human cells, stem cells have greater capacity for cell division and longevity – they can stay functional and undifferentiated for prolonged time. However, adult stem cells undergo progressive depletion of potency and stabilization capacity over time. This restricts the duration they can replicate and be effective when transplanted. Embryonic stem cells are more efficient with survival capabilities extending to years as opposed to months under ideal laboratory environments. This has the advantage of narrowing down the applicability to clinical settings. It is also possible to preserve embryonic cells transplanted into tissues and organs in an undifferentiated state with a stable function.
Conclusion
Adult and embryonic stem cells have major differences in terms of potency, origin, division and treatment application. These have direct consequences for the generation of stem cell treatments. Another aspect of concern varies depending on the source of both adult and embryonic stem cells. As such, both varieties will go on serving as sources of precious information that would help open the path to further medical developments.
