Imaging in Stem Cell Transplant and Cell-based Therapy

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.