European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

OVERVIEW ON: STEM CELL BOON FOR MANKIND

Tripathi Purnima*, Nayak Satish, Garima Indurkhya and Shukla Shivakant

ABSTRACT

Adult stem cells, also called tissue-specific stem cells or somatic stem cells, are multipotent cells, which are responsible for replacing damaged and dead cells in the body (tissue maintenance role). They are found in specific microenvironment called stem cell niche. Adult stem cells are often isolated from bone marrow, blood, adipose tissue, liver and skin. However, as a natural consequence of aging, their quantity and quality decreases with the age. Aging of stem cells affect regenerative potential, growth, and divisions. Stem cells are a current focus of intense scientific and clinical interest, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS) where inherent repair is inadequate and functional damage is often permanent. The prospective therapeutic power of stem cells lies in their ability to generate new cells of many types and to effect tissue repair. By definition, a stem cell is multipotent, with the capacity to self-renew.

Keywords: Stem cell, Multipotent, Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, Central Nervous System.