Adult Stem Cells

People are naturally drawn to controversial topics in the news. The most scandalous, graphic stories are the ones that sell newspapers and generate online hits. As the old journalism saying goes, “If it bleeds, it leads.” Unfortunately, the same is true for stories focusing on the revolutionary implications of stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research hogs the spotlight, but it is not the venue that shows the most medical promise.

Hospital patients in need of a stem cell transplant can choose from three primary sources: bone marrow, circulating blood and umbilical cord blood. The latter can be donated immediately following childbirth through a process known as cord blood banking. Bone marrow and circulating blood stem cells exist in all healthy adults, and they have significant restorative powers that can improve one’s health.

Human fallopian tubes are rich in mesenchymal stem cells and could be a new source of highly sought-after stem cells. A University of Sao Paulo, Brazil research team found that human fallopian tubes removed from fertile women of child bearing age during hysterectomies are rich in mesenchymal stem cells.

The Journal of Translational Medicine reports the team isolated and grew these cells in a laboratory and differentiated them into muscle, fat, cartilage and bone cell lines without producing problems in the cell chromosomes. Other studies previously have also shown success with isolating and differentiating mesenchymal stem cells harvested from umbilical cords, dental pulp and body fat.