52
However, both hematopoietic stem cell therapy (HSCT) and mesenchymal stem
cell therapy (MSCT) have clinical implications in various non-hematologic condi-
tions including multi organ degenerative disorders, metabolic and endocrine
disorders, rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases. In this article, we will review
the non- hematologic applications of stem cell therapy, focusing particularly on the
use of mesenchymal cells in multi system disorders. We will also briefly discuss the
role of imaging in some of these evolving clinical applications of mesenchymal
stem cells.
Table 4.1 Types of stem cells
Subtype of stem cell Capability to differentiate
Totipotent Capable of forming an entire organism (sperm/ovum)
Pluripotent Capable of forming several different tissue types
Multipotent More differentiated, Capable of forming limited types of cells within
specialized tissues
Table 4.2 Classification of stem cells
Subtype of stem cell Origin
Embryonic stem cell Derived from embryos
Adult stem cell Found in adult tissues (bone marrow, skin, gut, neural tissue etc.)
Induced pluripotent
stem cell
Reprogrammed adult stem cells to become less differentiated and
behave like embryonic cells
Hematopoeitic
cells
Mesenchymal
cells
Neural
cells
Epithelial
cells
STEM
CELL
Fig. 4.1 Classification of stem cells
R. Ram et al.