Introduction:
The stem cells are the specialized human cells that are isolated from the umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, etc. They can develop into any cell type in the body. They are used in the field of regenerative medicine, where they can cure any illness. In the future, the researchers believe that even Alzheimer's disease can also be cured, where the damaged brain cells are replaced by healthy cells with the help of these stem cells. A new study has reported that the stem cells present in the umbilical cord blood (UCB) can treat brain damage in newborns. In this article, the importance of stem cells in medicine and how they can be used to manage tissue or organ damage will be discussed.
What Is Meant By Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is the modern era of regenerative medicine used to promote the repair of damaged or diseased, injured tissues in the body. Stem cell therapy is still an upcoming field of medicine that is still under trial but not currently in practice. However, advanced researchers on stem cells are believed to cure several illnesses in the mere future.
What Are the Types of Stem Cells?
Stem cells are broadly classified into three main types, they are:
- Embryonic Stem Cells: The embryonic stem cells supply new cells to the embryo as it grows into a baby. They are pluripotent. Pluripotency refers to the potential of the cell to develop into any cell type of the body. Recent researchers have identified that stem cells are present in the amniotic fluid (perinatal stem cells). The amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus and offers protection. The stem cells are obtained from the amniotic fluid through amniocentesis.
- Adult Stem Cells: As human beings grow old, the damaged and aged cells are replaced by newer ones. These new cells are produced by adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are multipotent; that is, they can develop only into specialized cells and not all cell types. A blood cell can only replace other blood cells and not skin and hair cells.
- Pluripotent Stem Cells: As the name indicates, they are induced or made in the laboratory by scientists by taking the adult cell types. They are then cultured and transformed into desired cell types. Similar to embryonic stem cells, they are also pluripotent.
What Are The Possible Brain Damages In Newborns?
The main complication of brain damage in newborns are :
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
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Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia.
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Asphyxia.
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Perinatal stroke.
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury is the most common and serious complication encountered in newborns. This may result in mortality and morbidity that may be lifelong. In traumatic brain injury, the normal functioning of the brain is interrupted due to the destruction of the cells and their function. This may significantly affect the growth and cognitive development of the baby.
Complications During Traumatic Brain Injury:
In traumatic brain damage, the blood-brain barrier is broken, resulting in neuroinflammation, injuries to the axons, neurodegenerative lesions, etc. Hence the physiology of the brain cells, its structures, and its internal environment are either altered or destroyed. This causes neuronal cell injury affecting the functioning of the brain.
Some of the complications encountered in traumatic brain injury are:
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Visual disturbances.
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Cognitive impairment.
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Frequent headaches (in older children and adults).
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Loss of consciousness.
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In severe cases, coma and paralysis are also seen.
Traumatic Brain Injury Management:
As of now, there is no particular drug to treat traumatic brain injury. However, the first line of treatment is:
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Breathing 100% oxygen under raised atmospheric pressure.
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Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: The technique employed to stimulate the damaged portion of the brain.
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Functional Electrical Stimulation: It uses low-energy electrical impulses to stimulate the brain.
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Behavioral Therapy: It is an effective treatment that changes the behavior and the conduct of the child.
How Does Asphyxia Cause Brain Damage?
Asphyxia or oxygen deprivation is a condition that causes the destruction of the tissues due to a lack of oxygen. This may be complicated during labor, as in cases of delayed C-sections or when the baby is in oxygen distress. But these conditions can be prevented by proper medical care. The immediate treatment should be cooling the baby soon after delivery. This can prevent serious complications but results in lifelong disabilities. If the brain damage is detected immediately, then it can be reversible.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
The other major complication encountered in neonates is cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a disorder where there is a motor disability in children. It is one of the common disabilities in childhood. This may be due to abnormal brain development or damage that causes an inability to control motor reflexes. It occurs during pregnancy or immediately after birth. The damage to the periventricular white matter (periventricular leukomalacia) is the main cause of cerebral palsy in newborns.
What Is A Perinatal Stroke?
When the blood vessels of the brain get blocked or damaged, it results in a stroke. A stroke that occurs in the newborn is referred to as a ”perinatal stroke.” It is the common cause of cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
How Do Stem Cells Repair Brain Damage?
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Stem Cells for Traumatic Brain Injury: In the case of traumatic brain injury, several kinds of cells, such as glial cells, neuronal cells, and vascular endothelial cells, are required to regenerate the damaged brain tissues. So, brain stem cell transplantation might be helpful only if the condition is not too severe or recently occurred (between six months to two years). Hence, mesenchymal stem cells are advised. They are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal cells. The non-mesenchymal cells include neuron and glial cells that are essential to treat traumatic brain injury. These cells have the ability to proliferate and differentiate, where they travel to the injured tissue and induce local tissue repair, and speed up the healing process (immunomodulatory process). They are administered through the intravenous route as they can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. They pass through the paracellular pathways and penetrate the endothelial cell layers and reach the injured tissues.
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Stem Cells for Cerebral Palsy: The treatment utilizes neural stem cells, embryonic stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Although their role in the treatment of cerebral palsy is still experimental, they are believed to be effective in restoring the injured tissues or organs that cure the diseased condition. They are known for their self-renewal property, thus providing neuroprotection and neuroregeneration of the tissues.
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Stem Cell Therapy For Asphyxia And Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Brain Damage: The umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells have the ability to develop into brain cells. A single dose of umbilical cord blood can repair brain damage and prevent lifelong disabilities that occur in cooling therapy. However, researchers have identified that a single dose cannot offer maximum protection, so multiple doses of umbilical cord blood are indicated to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy and other complications.
Conclusion:
Stem cell therapy is going to be the modern era of regenerative medicine. It serves as a ray of hope that has got the potential to save lives from life-threatening conditions. Although they are currently only under experimental trials on animals, they might come into the limelight in the future. Researchers are doing a great job and providing more about stem cell therapy. One day they are believed to cure many conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disorder, brain and spinal cord injury, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc.
