Question 1

What are stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells are cells with self-renewal ability and multipotent differentiation capacity. Under certain circumstances, stem cells can be induced to differentiate into more than 220 functional cells in the human body. Thanks to their homing effect, stem cells can repair and replace damaged cells to induce tissue/organ regeneration. Stem cells are the source of all the tissue and organs, it is called the “all-purpose cells” in medical fields.

Question 2

What are embryonic stem cells?

Accepted Answer

According to a different stage of the human body development, stem cells can be divided into embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are cells with (life-long) sustainable self-renewal capacity and they have the potential to differentiate into multiple cells and hold developmental totipotency. They can develop into almost all kinds of human tissues and organs, and thus possess great value in both medical research and clinical applications.

Question 3

What are adult stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Adult stem cells refer to undifferentiated cells existing in differentiated human tissues. Their differentiation potential is weaker than embryonic stem cells. Those cells can self-renewal and differentiate into cells in their corresponding tissue. Its physiological significance is for renewing aging/dead cells during normal aging processes and maintaining the normal function and structure of human tissue. Adult stem cells are regarded as the “reserved force” of the body. Adult stem cells reside in all types of tissues and organs in the human body, current discovered adult stem cells include hematopoietic stem cells, bone marrow stromal cells, neural stem cells, liver stem cells, skin stem cells, intestinal stem cells, retinal stem cells, pancreatic stem cells, etc.

Question 4

Where do stem cells come from?

Accepted Answer

Different types of stem cells come from different sources. Embryonic stem cells only exist in embryos about 5-7 days after fertilization. The embryonic stem cells currently being utilized in our medical center are donated by volunteers. Here in Ukraine, being a donor is a very respectful thing from the standpoint of Orthodox Christians. Adult stem cells exist in all major organs in the human body. There are adult stem cells that reside in the blood, bone marrow, peripheral blood vessels, umbilical cord, etc. The induced pluripotent stem cells are made from differentiated somatic cells (such as skin cells or liver cells) by transfecting a few special transcription factors into them, thus the somatic cells will dedifferentiate and become stem cells that obtain pluripotent differentiation potential like embryonic stem cells, with multipotent differentiation properties and developmental totipotency.

Question 5

What are the different types of stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Scientific studies have indicated stem cells exist not only in embryos but also in an adult body. It is possible to isolate corresponding stem cells from the umbilical cord and umbilical blood, placenta, bone marrow, adipose, and other tissues.

Stem cells can be categorized into totipotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells according to their differentiation potential.

According to the different stages of embryonic development, stem cells can be divided into embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Stem cells can also be classified according to the tissue types stem cells can differentiate into, for example, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, etc.

Question 6

What is the difference between autologous stem cells and allogeneic stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Autologous stem cells are derived from the patient's own body, the cells have perfect histocompatibility and the patient doesn’t need to do any matching. There is a high cell utilization rate and no immune rejection after implantation.

Allogeneic stem cells are stem cells derived from donors other than the patient him/herself, Allogeneic stem cells are often with low-level immunogenicity.

Autologous stem cell transplantation is not recommended for patients with infectious diseases, major genetic diseases, or other major diseases.

Question 7

What can stem cells be used for?

Accepted Answer

Since stem cells have self-renewal and multipotent differentiation capacity, they have been used in all major medical fields, including cosmetic and anti-aging, disease treatment, tissue regeneration, gene therapy, system reconstruction, and other important medical fields. There have been numerous research outcomes and successful application cases worldwide.

Question 8

Why are stem cells important?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells are regarded as “all-purpose cells” in the medical community, it is a ground-breaking discovery of regeneration medicine. The application scope of stem cells will be largely expanded in the future, and more and more diseases that used to be considered “incurable” are likely to be solved with stem cell therapy, thus adding another layer of protection to the health of all human beings.

Question 9

Are stem cells safe?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells are safe, none of the patients who received our treatment in the past were harmed by the stem cells or had their condition worsen after treatment. They all reported that stem cell therapy has made them healthier. Shortly after stem cell reinfusion, body temperature increases or fatigue/sleepy may occur, this is because stem cells are beginning to take action, and the symptoms will relieve in 1-2 hours.

Question 10

How do stem cells work?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells can differentiate into various tissue cells in the human body, and replace and repair dead or damaged cells. Stem cells also help to maintain normal body function, at the same time, activate quiescence cells or inhibited cells. Stem cells can also secret cytokines to reduce tissue inflammation and inhibit the immune response from the damaged tissue, thus repairing injured tissue. In addition, stem cells can also promote the restoration of intercellular electrical capacity and electrical conduction, thereby restoring cell function.

FAQs