Choumerianou Despoina M, Dimitriou Helen, Kalmanti Maria
Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2008 Mar;14(1):53-60. doi: 10.1089/teb.2007.0216.
Stem cells are the self-renewing progenitors of several body tissues and are classified according to their origin and their ability to differentiate. Current research focuses on the potential uses of stem cells in medicine and how they can provide effective treatment for a range of diseases. This approach has resulted in the field of medical practice called regenerative medicine. To attain the promises of regenerative medicine, it is necessary to fully understand the biology and properties of stem cells, achieve their successful differentiation into functional tissues, overcome the barriers related to immune responses after administration, and assess any oncogenic properties that limit their use. The availability of human stem cells not only raises hope for cell replacement therapies, but also provides a system for understanding the mechanisms of embryonic development and disease progression. Nevertheless, it raises ethical concerns that need to be addressed before the use of stem cells in clinical practice.
干细胞是多种身体组织的自我更新祖细胞，并根据其来源和分化能力进行分类。当前的研究集中在干细胞在医学中的潜在用途以及它们如何为一系列疾病提供有效治疗。这种方法催生了被称为再生医学的医学实践领域。为了实现再生医学的前景，有必要充分了解干细胞的生物学特性和性质，实现它们成功分化为功能组织，克服给药后与免疫反应相关的障碍，并评估限制其使用的任何致癌特性。人类干细胞的可用性不仅为细胞替代疗法带来了希望，还提供了一个理解胚胎发育和疾病进展机制的系统。然而，在临床实践中使用干细胞之前，这也引发了一些需要解决的伦理问题。
