The complexities of stem cell research can be best comprehended by studying the differences between different types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells. Let’s understand how cord blood stem cells are better than adult embryonic cells:
- Source and Origin
After childbirth, cord blood stem cells are taken from the blood within the umbilical cord, causing neither the baby nor the mother any harm. Adult T-cells are usually extracted from bone marrow or other tissues known as bone marrow stem cells, while embryonic stem cells come from embryos, which presents technical and ethical issues.
- Proliferation Capacity
The proliferation ability of cord blood stem cells is very strong, and they can increase rapidly in culture. However, this property is useful for producing a large amount of cells for other therapeutic purposes. In contrast, a lot of adult stem cells have limited proliferative capabilities.
- Versatility and Differentiation Potential
Cord blood stem cells are multipotent, meaning they can develop into all types of cells, such as blood cells, nerve cells and so on. It is one of the major uses of stem cells. Though cord blood stem cells aren’t as versatile as embryonic stem cells, they maintain a greater differentiation potential than adult stem cells (dependent on cell lineage).
- Reduced Risk of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
Another benefit of cord blood stem cell transplants is the decreased incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The grafting cells can also attack the recipient’s tissues, which is a potentially severe complication. Cord blood stem cells have a lower rate of incidence for GVHD than adult stem cells.
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