HOW STEM CELLS WORK
ADULT CELLS THAT WERE BORN TO RENEW.
Your animal’s body is composed of trillions of cells. Each type of cell has a specific set of functions coded into its DNA. You can think of cells as tiny machines of various types (cranes, trucks, bulldozers, ambulances, microchips, conveyer belts, etc.) that are specific to certain tasks – all working together to bring life to a community (i.e., a living body).
Stem cells, then, are like Transformers: machines whose special ability is to transform into other, more specific machines.
Scientifically, this “transformation” is called “differentiation.”
learn stem cell terminology
Most non-doctors won’t know many of the terms associated with stem cell biology.
To help you make sense of it all, we have compiled a glossary (click the button below).
ADULT Stem Cells
In adult animals, stem cells can be found in various tissues and organs throughout the body. These stem cells, which are multipotent, can differentiate into the types of cells needed in particular areas of the body.
As with machines, sometimes cells (and the tissues or organs they comprise) become damaged, wear out, or stop working. Adult stem cells are part of the body’s system to help repair or replace cells that are no longer doing their jobs properly.
Adult stem cells can self-renew as well as differentiate; not only do they produce specialized tissue cells, but they also produce more stem cells.
ADIPOSE-DERIVED Stem Cells (adsc)
Generally, JangoPet therapies use stem cells harvested from adipose tissue (adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSC), usually taken from the groin or lower midsection. These particular somatic stem cells can differentiate into connective-tissue cells (like chondrocytes, i.e., cartilage cells), among others.
In cases of osteoarthritis, these ADSCs can have multiple therapeutic effects:
- Producing chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in the damaged joint, which work to repair and replace damaged tissue.
- Producing other differentiated cells that promote tissue health and joint function.
- Replacing the joint’s damaged or missing stem cells and progenitor cells necessary for joint maintenance.
- Secreting various cell-signaling compounds (growth factors, proteins, etc.) that help reduce inflammation and promote cell integration.
WHY ADIPOSE-DERIVED Stem Cells?
Stem cells taken from your animal’s fat pose certain advantages over other sources of stem cells, most notably those taken from bone marrow (BMSC). While BMSC are viable for many therapeutic uses, and have their own advantages, JangoPet and many other veterinary stem cell service providers believe using adipose-derived stem cells are the best treatment option in most cases.
The main advantages of ADSC are these:
- Harvesting ADSCs involves less-invasive surgical procedures compared to harvesting BMSCs.
- ADSCs are found in abundant quantities in adipose tissue, increasing the efficiency of procedures and their chances of success.
- ADSCs have demonstrated the ability to differentiate into the various cell types needed to treat degenerating joints, as well as helping in other regenerative medicine contexts.
WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS.
Regenerative medicine is ever-changing as researchers and doctors learn more about the exciting possibilities of stem-cell-based therapies. JangoPet is committed to leveraging the current state of knowledge to provide customers and veterinarians cutting-edge therapeutic options to help animals affected by the degenerative effects of aging. Click below to contact us now.
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