Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Can They Save Lives?

Have you ever noticed how architects create diverse structures using simple blueprints? Our human body also has a group of versatile cells that work just like those skilled architects. These cells, called Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), are found in the bloodstream, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. Hematopoietic Stem Cells can differentiate & develop into multiple different cell types. Due to this regenerative property, they are used to treat several life-threatening diseases. These include some deadly cancers, blood disorders & many more.¹

In this blog, you’ll discover more about these Hematopoietic Stem Cells & their application in modern therapeutics. 

Let’s get started.

What Are Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The word hematopoiesis comes from an amalgamation of two Greek words - ‘haima’ and ‘poiēsis’ which respectively mean ‘blood’ & ‘to produce something’.² Also known as “blood stem cells,” Hematopoietic Stem Cells are pluripotent cells that can give rise to many different cell types including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells(WBCs) & platelets.³ Studies have also shown that human Hematopoietic Stem Cells can differentiate into various other cell types in addition to blood cells. These include cells of the skin, gut, and liver.¹ 

But how can these cells serve as a life-saving tool? This is achieved through a process known as Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. 

Why Are Hematopoietic Stem Cells Important?

As mentioned earlier, due to their vast regenerative potential, Hematopoietic Stem Cells can be lifesaving when used for transplantation. 

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is the medical process in which unhealthy cells of the patient are replaced with healthy stem cells via transplant. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation may be both autologous & allogeneic. In autologous transplants, Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the patient’s own body are used to replace his/her malfunctioning cells, while in allogeneic transplants, healthy cells are extracted from a matched donor & administered to the host.¹ Even though the process of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation may take around 3-4 hours, you can be relieved knowing that it is relatively painless.⁴

A few of the many medical conditions which may be cured through Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation are listed below:

• Blood Disorders & Cancer¹

For patients with blood disorders, the purpose of treatment is to restore & rebuild the hematopoietic or the blood-forming system. While autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is used for treating multiple myeloma (MM) and lymphoma, an allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation can help treat leukaemia, MM, non-Hodgkin lymphoma,⁵ and anaemia. 

• Autoimmune Disorders

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation remains the sole treatment for several refractory autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Globally so far, over 3,000 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations have been performed for rheumatic (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) and nonrheumatic severe autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis).⁶ The process basically includes a ‘resetting’ of the host immune system, where faulty cells are destroyed & replaced with healthy stem cells which regenerate the host immune system.⁷

• Liver Injury ¹

When the liver is injured, what follows is liver regeneration. However, the process can sometimes be compromised in case of a pathological condition or disease. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-SCs) to improve liver regeneration. BM-SCs have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types, including liver cells (hepatocytes). There have been a number of clinical trials investigating the use of BM-SCs for liver regeneration. These trials have shown that BM-SCs can be safely transplanted into patients with liver disease. However, more research is needed to determine the optimal dose and timing of BM-SC transplantation.

Having said that, the process of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is not entirely foolproof. Let’s read about the potential complications of this procedure in the upcoming section.

Possible Complications Of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantations

The complications which may arise after a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation procedure may be acute or long-term i.e. they may occur shortly after the transplant or even months later.

The first major complication includes the risk of infections. The infections could be bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan.⁸

The other complication which may follow an allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation is the risk of graft vs host disease (GVHD). In GVHD, the transplanted Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the donor find the host as foreign & initiate an immune response attacking the host.^{5 8}

To overcome the risk of graft vs host disease, studies have found using Hematopoietic Stem Cells from cord blood to be very effective. Not only is the collection & administration time of cord blood very quick, but also there is very little need to find a strict match as the newborn cord blood lacks mature T cells (which trigger immune reaction).⁵

Conclusion

The use of hematopoietic stem cells for treating many severe diseases has gained a lot of traction in recent years. And by being more aware of the evolving technology around the use of these ‘life-giving’ cells, we can save ourselves & people around us from multiple diseases. Also, we can encourage each other to go for cord blood banking, a procedure where newborn cord blood, a rich source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells, is collected & banked. These stem cells can guard our entire families against the impact of over 80 life-threatening medical conditions. The best part - cord blood stem cells carry far lesser risk of transplant reaction (GVHD). And the cord blood collection process, at the time of birth, is totally safe & painless for both the mother & the baby. 

If you wish to learn more about stem cell banking and how your baby and family can benefit from it, please, visit www.lifecell.in or call 18002665533.