Tiam Mana Saffari

170 CHAPTER 8 Table 1 – Overview of sources of stem cells, showing its origin, location of harvest, properties, and mechanisms. The advantages and disadvantages of each mentioned stem cell source are mentioned in the last two columns 12,29,53,74 . Source Origin Location of harvest Properties/ Mechanism Advantage Disadvantage Embryonic stem cell (ESC) Pluripotent stem cells Blastocyst-stage embryo Stimulate myelination, exert neurotrophic factors - Unlimited source of cells - Superior differentiation potential - Homogenous - Long-term proliferation capacity - Ethical dilemma - Immunogenicity - Carcinogenic potential (e.g. teratoma) - Differentiation to specialized cell lines remains challenging Neural stem cell (NSC) Multipotent stem cells Sub-ventricular zone, hippocampus Replace Schwann cells - Highly migratory cells that give rise to neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes - Contributing extensively to remyelination - Difficulty harvesting - Evokes neural-immune reactions after transplantation - Neuroblastoma formation, - Directed differentiation to specialized cell lines remains challenging Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) Multipotent stem cells Bone marrow, adipose tissue, peripheral blood, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, tendon and ligaments, hair follicle, synovial membranes, olfactory mucosa, dental pulp and fetal tissue Stimulate myelination, exert neurotrophic factors - Dependent on sub-type - Dependent on sub-type Bone marrow- derived stem cells (BMSC) Multipotent stem cells Bone marrow Stimulate myelination, exert neurotrophic factors - Not restricted by ethical concerns - Lack of immune recognition and have immunosuppressive action, resulting in allogenic transplantation without induced immune rejection - Painful procurement procedure necessitating anesthesia - Inferior proliferation capacity and differentiation potential - Low fraction of stem cells available for use