Embryonic stem cell: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:18, 21 February 2025

Embryonic Stem Cell

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early-stage pre-implantation embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which point they consist of 50–150 cells.

Characteristics

Embryonic stem cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into any cell type of the three germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. This pluripotency distinguishes them from multipotent or unipotent stem cells, which can only form a limited range of cell types.

ESCs are also capable of self-renewal, meaning they can divide and replicate indefinitely while maintaining their undifferentiated state. This property is crucial for their potential use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Derivation

File:ES cell derivation.jpeg

Derivation of embryonic stem cells

The derivation of embryonic stem cells involves isolating the inner cell mass from a blastocyst and culturing these cells in vitro. This process requires precise conditions to maintain the cells' pluripotency and prevent spontaneous differentiation.

Applications

Embryonic stem cells hold significant promise for therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine. They can potentially be used to generate tissues and organs for transplantation, model diseases, and screen for new pharmaceuticals.

Ethical Considerations

The use of embryonic stem cells raises ethical concerns, primarily because the process of deriving these cells involves the destruction of a human embryo. This has led to debates about the moral status of the embryo and the ethical implications of using ESCs in research and therapy.

Research and Discoveries

The pioneering work of scientists such as Martin Evans, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his contributions to the field, has paved the way for advancements in understanding and utilizing embryonic stem cells.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Research into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has provided an alternative to embryonic stem cells. iPSCs are generated by reprogramming adult cells to a pluripotent state, thus avoiding the ethical issues associated with ESCs.

Embryoid Bodies

When cultured in suspension, embryonic stem cells can form embryoid bodies, which are three-dimensional aggregates that can differentiate into various cell types, mimicking early embryonic development.

Related Pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Embryonic Stem Cells ==
+Embryonic Stem Cell
-[[File:Stem cell diagram.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of stem cell differentiation.]]
+[[File:Humanstemcell.JPG|thumb|right|Human embryonic stem cells]]
-'''Embryonic stem cells''' (ESCs) are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, an early-stage pre-implantation embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which point they consist of 50–150 cells.
+'''Embryonic stem cells''' (ESCs) are [[pluripotent]] stem cells derived from the [[inner cell mass]] of a [[blastocyst]], an early-stage [[pre-implantation]] embryo. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4–5 days post fertilization, at which point they consist of 50–150 cells.
-=== Characteristics ===
+==Characteristics==
-Embryonic stem cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into any cell type of the three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This pluripotency distinguishes them from adult stem cells, which are multipotent and can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types.
+[[File:Stem_cells_diagram.png|thumb|left|Diagram of stem cell types]]
-ESCs are also capable of self-renewal, meaning they can divide and replicate indefinitely while maintaining their undifferentiated state. This property is crucial for their potential use in regenerative medicine and tissue replacement after injury or disease.
+Embryonic stem cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into any cell type of the three [[germ layers]]: [[ectoderm]], [[endoderm]], and [[mesoderm]]. This pluripotency distinguishes them from [[multipotent]] or [[unipotent]] stem cells, which can only form a limited range of cell types.
-=== Sources ===
+ESCs are also capable of [[self-renewal]], meaning they can divide and replicate indefinitely while maintaining their undifferentiated state. This property is crucial for their potential use in [[regenerative medicine]] and [[tissue engineering]].
-Embryonic stem cells are typically derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. The process involves isolating the inner cell mass and culturing it in vitro. This procedure raises ethical concerns, as it involves the destruction of the embryo.
+==Derivation==
-=== Applications ===
+[[File:ES_cell_derivation.jpeg|thumb|right|Derivation of embryonic stem cells]]
-Embryonic stem cells hold significant promise for regenerative medicine. They can potentially be used to generate cells and tissues for transplantation, including neurons for neurodegenerative diseases, cardiomyocytes for heart disease, and insulin-producing cells for diabetes.
+The derivation of embryonic stem cells involves isolating the inner cell mass from a blastocyst and culturing these cells in vitro. This process requires precise conditions to maintain the cells' pluripotency and prevent spontaneous differentiation.
-[[File:Stem cell research.jpg|thumb|left|Stem cell research in a laboratory setting.]]
+==Applications==
-In addition to their therapeutic potential, ESCs are valuable for research purposes. They provide a model for studying early human development, understanding disease mechanisms, and testing new drugs.
+Embryonic stem cells hold significant promise for [[therapeutic cloning]] and regenerative medicine. They can potentially be used to generate [[tissue]]s and [[organs]] for transplantation, model [[disease]]s, and screen for new [[pharmaceuticals]].
-=== Ethical Considerations ===
+==Ethical Considerations==
-The use of embryonic stem cells is controversial due to ethical concerns regarding the destruction of human embryos. This has led to the development of alternative methods, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are derived from adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state.
+The use of embryonic stem cells raises ethical concerns, primarily because the process of deriving these cells involves the destruction of a human embryo. This has led to debates about the moral status of the embryo and the ethical implications of using ESCs in research and therapy.
-=== Challenges ===
+==Research and Discoveries==
-Despite their potential, several challenges must be addressed before ESCs can be widely used in clinical applications. These include the risk of immune rejection, the potential for tumor formation, and the need for precise control over differentiation.
+[[File:Martin_Evans_Nobel_Prize.jpg|thumb|left|Sir Martin Evans, Nobel Prize winner for his work on embryonic stem cells]]
-== Related Pages ==
+The pioneering work of scientists such as [[Martin Evans]], who was awarded the [[Nobel Prize]] for his contributions to the field, has paved the way for advancements in understanding and utilizing embryonic stem cells.
+==Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells==
+[[File:Ips_cells.png|thumb|right|Induced pluripotent stem cells]]
+Research into [[induced pluripotent stem cells]] (iPSCs) has provided an alternative to embryonic stem cells. iPSCs are generated by reprogramming adult cells to a pluripotent state, thus avoiding the ethical issues associated with ESCs.
+==Embryoid Bodies==
+[[File:MESC_EBs.jpg|thumb|left|Mouse embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies]]
+When cultured in suspension, embryonic stem cells can form [[embryoid bodies]], which are three-dimensional aggregates that can differentiate into various cell types, mimicking early embryonic development.
+==Related Pages==
 * [[Stem cell]]
+* [[Pluripotency]]
+* [[Regenerative medicine]]
+* [[Therapeutic cloning]]
 * [[Induced pluripotent stem cell]]
-* [[Regenerative medicine]]
-* [[Blastocyst]]
-* [[Cell differentiation]]
-{{Stem cell research}}
 [[Category:Stem cells]]
 [[Category:Developmental biology]]
 [[Category:Regenerative medicine]]