Springer Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells, Volume 6: Therapeutic Applications in Disease and Injury

The difference among pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells is pointed out. Vast therapeutic applications of the following specific stem cells in disease and tissue injury are discussed: human embryonic stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, germ cell-derived pluripotent stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells, breast tumor stem cells,and hematopoietic stem cells. Because of the potential of human embryonic stem cells to produce unlimited quantities of any human cell type, considerable focus is placed on their therapeutic potential. Because of their pluripotency, these cells have been used in various applications such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, pharmacological and toxicological studies, and fundamental studies of cell differentiation. The formation of embryoid bodies, which are three-dimensional aggregates of embryonic stem cells, is explained as this is the first step in cell differentiation. Such embryoid body culture has been widely used as a trigger for the in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells. The basic capacity of self-renewal of human embryogenic stem cells is explained. The role of TGF-beta in the propagation of human embryonic stem cells is discussed. The differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and retinal cells is fully explained. Donor policies for hematopoietic stem cells are also explained. From the Back Cover This book of the multi-volume series on stem cells and their cancerous counterparts features an in-depth explanation of the differences between pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent stem cell varieties. The specific types of stem cell singled out for discussion in this sixth volume include human mesenchymal, germ cell-derived pluripotent, induced pluripotent, human umbilical cord blood-derived, breast tumor, and hematopoietic stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells and their applications receive particular attention, with explanations of the process of embryoid body formation and the self-renewing capability of human embryogenic stem cells. Additional contributions examine the influence of TGF-beta on the propagation of human embryonic stem cells, and the mechanisms by which these cells differentiate into their four secondary incarnations, neurona, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and retinal cells. With a clear exposition of donor policies for hematopoietic stem cells to complete the package, this sixth volume in the series will strengthen STEM’s reputation for varied, yet comprehensive coverage of the topic.