The regenerative capacity of adult tissues depends on tissue-specific stem-cell populations that maintain stable numbers by self-renewal and possess the ability to differentiate into distinct cell lineages. Adult stem cells are found in children, as well as in adults. Regeneration and renewal in adult mammalian tissues has been studied in several compartments such as the hematopoietic, endothelial, mammary, intestinal, neural, skin, muscle, and hair-follicle tissues. Regenerative medicine places emphasis on cell-based therapy, particularly stem cells, to repair or replace damaged tissues/organs, and is a topic of major current interest. While the use of adult stem cells in research and therapy does not require the destruction of an embryo, the use of embryonic stem cells is much more controversial. Even the performance of clinical trials with adult stem cells, however, have important ethical implications. This review, after a brief historical overview, concisely examines the findings of clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine and focuses principally on the ethical issues.
ADULT STEM CELLS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW AND ETHICAL ISSUES
MARIA ROSA MONTINARI
2020-01-01
Abstract
The regenerative capacity of adult tissues depends on tissue-specific stem-cell populations that maintain stable numbers by self-renewal and possess the ability to differentiate into distinct cell lineages. Adult stem cells are found in children, as well as in adults. Regeneration and renewal in adult mammalian tissues has been studied in several compartments such as the hematopoietic, endothelial, mammary, intestinal, neural, skin, muscle, and hair-follicle tissues. Regenerative medicine places emphasis on cell-based therapy, particularly stem cells, to repair or replace damaged tissues/organs, and is a topic of major current interest. While the use of adult stem cells in research and therapy does not require the destruction of an embryo, the use of embryonic stem cells is much more controversial. Even the performance of clinical trials with adult stem cells, however, have important ethical implications. This review, after a brief historical overview, concisely examines the findings of clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine and focuses principally on the ethical issues.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
