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group_5_presentation_1_-_regeneration_stem_cells [2019/02/01 14:55] kingr6 [2. Defining Key Terms] |
group_5_presentation_1_-_regeneration_stem_cells [2019/02/01 17:37] (current) smithl12 |
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| Regeneration is a fascinating concept among us humans; the thought of amputated limbs growing back into fully functioning body parts has long been popularized in cartoons and fictional characters. For instance, Piccolo, a character from Dragon Ball Z is popular for its remarkable regenerative capability. | Regeneration is a fascinating concept among us humans; the thought of amputated limbs growing back into fully functioning body parts has long been popularized in cartoons and fictional characters. For instance, Piccolo, a character from Dragon Ball Z is popular for its remarkable regenerative capability. | ||
| + | {{ :dragonball.gif?nolink&300 |}} | ||
| Figure 1. Cartoon character, Piccolo, displaying regeneration. | Figure 1. Cartoon character, Piccolo, displaying regeneration. | ||
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| ======2. Defining Key Terms====== | ======2. Defining Key Terms====== | ||
| - | The healing and regeneration of a complex body structure involves diverse cellular processes such as wound healing, programmed cell death, stem cell proliferation, and dedifferentiation (King & Newmark, 2012). In order to gain a better understanding of the cellular processes involved in regeneration, it is important to begin by defining some key terms. Stem cells can be defined as undifferentiated progenitor cells that possess the ability to develop into specialized cells, while also maintaining self-renewal (Singh et al., Chandra, 2016). Cellular differentiation describes the process by which a cell changes from one cell type to another, typically to a more specialized type (Slack, 2007). Dedifferentiation is another important biological phenomenon whereby specialized cells regress back to a simpler state reminiscent of stem cells (Cai et al., 2007). | + | The healing and regeneration of a complex body structure involves diverse cellular processes such as wound healing, programmed cell death, stem cell proliferation, and dedifferentiation (King & Newmark, 2012). |
| - | + | In order to gain a better understanding of the cellular processes involved in regeneration, it is important to begin by defining some key terms. Stem cells can be defined as undifferentiated progenitor cells that possess the ability to develop into specialized cells, while also maintaining self-renewal (Singh et al., Chandra, 2016). Cellular differentiation describes the process by which a cell changes from one cell type to another, typically to a more specialized type (Slack, 2007). Dedifferentiation is another important biological phenomenon whereby specialized cells regress back to a simpler state reminiscent of stem cells (Cai et al., 2007). | |
| - | Stem cells can be classified as totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, or unipotent, depending on their potency (Singh et al., 2016). Totipotent cells have the potential to develop into all the cell types in an organism, plus extra-embryonic cell types. Pluripotent cells can give rise to all the cell types that make up the body, except extra-embryonic cell lines. Multipotent stem cells are lineage specific with limited differentiation potential, and tend to develop only within specific tissue or cell lines. The developmental potential of unipotent cells is further reduced as they are able to give rise to only one cell type. It is important to note that both the self-renewal capacity and the differentiation potential of stem cells is reduced down the stem cell hierarchy from totipotent to unipotent cell states (Singh et al., 2016). | + | |
| + | Stem cells can be classified as totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent or unipotent, depending on their potency (Singh et al., 2016). Totipotent cells have the potential to develop into all the cell types in an organism, plus extra-embryonic cell types. Pluripotent cells can give rise to all the cell types that make up the body, except extra-embryonic cell lines. Multipotent stem cells are lineage specific with limited differentiation potential, and tend to develop only within specific tissue or cell lines. The developmental potential of unipotent cells is further reduced as they are able to give rise to only one cell type. It is important to note that both the self-renewal capacity and the differentiation potential of stem cells is reduced down the stem cell hierarchy from totipotent to unipotent cell states (Singh et al., 2016) | ||
| + | . | ||
| The blastema is a general term used to describe a regeneration bud containing a mass of undifferentiated progenitor cells capable of growth and renewal. Several organisms such as planarian flatworms, zebrafish and salamanders utilize a regenerative blastema for healing and regrowth during adult stages (Godwin, 2014). Injury or amputation among such organisms can trigger the formation of a blastema from adult tissue; the blastema then functions to reform the diverse tissues of the missing body structure (Kragl et al., 2009). The identity and potency of the type of cells that make up the blastema is not completely known. It is believed that cells near the site of injury lose their specialized properties and revert back to a primordial state via de-differentiation; these cells then multiply rapidly and redifferentiation to form the new tissue needed to rebuild the missing body structure (Bosch, 2007). Recent research also suggests that in some organisms, cells within the blastema may contribute to regrowth via memory retention of the tissue of origin (Kragl et al., 2009). | The blastema is a general term used to describe a regeneration bud containing a mass of undifferentiated progenitor cells capable of growth and renewal. Several organisms such as planarian flatworms, zebrafish and salamanders utilize a regenerative blastema for healing and regrowth during adult stages (Godwin, 2014). Injury or amputation among such organisms can trigger the formation of a blastema from adult tissue; the blastema then functions to reform the diverse tissues of the missing body structure (Kragl et al., 2009). The identity and potency of the type of cells that make up the blastema is not completely known. It is believed that cells near the site of injury lose their specialized properties and revert back to a primordial state via de-differentiation; these cells then multiply rapidly and redifferentiation to form the new tissue needed to rebuild the missing body structure (Bosch, 2007). Recent research also suggests that in some organisms, cells within the blastema may contribute to regrowth via memory retention of the tissue of origin (Kragl et al., 2009). | ||
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| ==E. Human Application== | ==E. Human Application== | ||
| - | {{ :salamander.png?nolink |}} | + | {{ :salamander.png?nolink |}} (Heinrich, 2016) |
| The regeneration in model organisms is applicable to humans as scientists can copy or use these ideas as a framework for future research. For example, using this idea of dedifferentiating cells, scientists are able to create induced multipotent stem cells out of fat cells. Through aspirating fat cells with two different solutions, the fat cells can convert back to a less specific state which can be used for wound healing. However, this cannot be used to regrow limbs, but this is a great step in the right direction for regenerative medicine. (Heinrich, 2016) | The regeneration in model organisms is applicable to humans as scientists can copy or use these ideas as a framework for future research. For example, using this idea of dedifferentiating cells, scientists are able to create induced multipotent stem cells out of fat cells. Through aspirating fat cells with two different solutions, the fat cells can convert back to a less specific state which can be used for wound healing. However, this cannot be used to regrow limbs, but this is a great step in the right direction for regenerative medicine. (Heinrich, 2016) | ||
