Every new breakthrough in research also brings in new potential dangers and side effects. Same is the case with embryonic stem cell research. To make an effective outcome, we need to demonstrate the effectiveness and also identify and minimize the risks .
TIll now two major risks which have been identified are
- Tumor formation
- Immune rejection.
Tumor Formation
It has been found that human embryonic stem cells when injected into mice can produce a benign tumor made up of various tissues. This response is surely due to ability of stem cells to divide this response is believed to be related to the multipotency of the undifferentiated cells in an in vivo environment. But the problem is not found with the cells which have already begun differentiation before transplantation.
Nevertheless, this problem must be understood and checked. It is very important to understand how body regulates the differentiation of stem cells. There is a long way to go in this matter. Somehow stem cells need to be told that they would be transforming into a particular tissue type rather than going haywire and produce whatever they feel like.
These growth factors or inducer cells are stil being experimented.
Immune Rejection
Rejection is a serious obstacle to successful transplantation of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells provoke an immune rejection by the recipient which might result in failure of the cells. though the degree is less but it is still there.
Removal of the immune reaction triggering antigens is the major concern and various options are being considered like matching histocompatibility antigens of the recipient , produce stems cells from less antigenic organs or using genetic engineering to eliminate surface antigens on them.
An understanding of how to prevent rejection of transplanted cells is a great challenge to the research. Only then stem cells could be used in medicine.
About Arun Pal Singh