UPDATED September 04, 2020 – The iliac crest is a prominent thick curved bone located in the upper border of the ilium near the pelvis. The iliac crest gets its name from it concave shape, that rounds inward, convex in back area and rounding outward. The iliac crest is that stretch of space posteriorly running from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) towards the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) which is a source for somatic stem cells.[1]

It is known to contain a huge supply of bone marrow, which accounts for its being an uncommon extraction site for protocols at the stem cell regeneration center of Thailand treatment center and are typically only used in rare cases that required previous transplantation of bone marrow stem cells.[2]

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Published Clinical Citations

• [1] ^ Radcliff, Kristen, Raymond Hwang, Alan Hilibrand, Harvey E Smith, Jordan Gruskay, Jon D Lurie, Wenyan Zhao, Todd Albert, and James Weinstein. 2012. The effect of iliac crest autograft on the outcome of fusion in the setting of degenerative spondylolisthesis: a subgroup analysis of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, no. 18 ( 19). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22878599

• [2] ^ Kunakornsawat, Sombat, Arthithat Kirinpanu, Chaiwat Piyaskulkaew, and Vera Sathira-Angkura. 2013. A comparative study of radiographic results using HEALOS collagen-hydroxyapatite sponge with bone marrow aspiration versus local bone graft in the same patients undergoing posterolateral lumbar fusion. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, no. 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23991599

Cell cultures or “In vitro cell culturing” is a process necessary for modern medical research and stem cell treatments. [1] There are several means by which cell growth and therapeutic cloning of needed cells may be achieved through the use of an artificial laboratory culture growth medium. [2]

Cell Culture Video

Researchers in hematopoietic allogeneic and autologous stem cell function are continuing to explore other methods of achieving cell differentiation through culture for the transformation of new types of cells.[3]

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Published Clinical Citations

• [1] ^ Chen, Guo-ling, Ying Xiao, Yang-yang Du, Yan-li Liu, Zhi-yu Liu, and Han Zhang. 2013. [Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells induced by co-culture method]. Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae, no. 6. doi:10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.2013.06.007. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24382239

• [2] ^ Kedjarune, U, S Pongprerachok, P Arpornmaeklong, and K Ungkusonmongkhon. 2001. Culturing primary human gingival epithelial cells: comparison of two isolation techniques. Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, no. 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11562092

• [3] ^ Osathanon, Thanaphum, Philaiporn Vivatbutsiri, Waleerat Sukarawan, Wannakorn Sriarj, Prasit Pavasant, and Sireerat Sooampon. 2014. Cobalt chloride supplementation induces stem-cell marker expression and inhibits osteoblastic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells. Archives of oral biology, no. 1 (September 6). doi:10.1016/j.archoralbio.2014.08.018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25244616

Trophoblasts are the outermost cell layer of a blastocyst primarily responsible for the implantation process [1]. A trophoblast develops into extra-embryonic tissues, and these include the placenta. [2]

Trophoblasts also functions in controlling oxygen and metabolite exchange that transpires between the embryo and the mother [3]. Trophoblasts are also sometimes referred to as trophoderm. [4]

Published Clinical Citations

• [1] ^ Hibaoui, Youssef, and Anis Feki. 2013. Human pluripotent stem cells as alternative models to study trophoblast development. Frontiers in physiology (December 17). doi:10.3389/fphys.2013.00374. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24381561

• [2] ^ Morales-Prieto, D M, S Ospina-Prieto, A Schmidt, W Chaiwangyen, and U R Markert. 2013. Elsevier Trophoblast Research Award Lecture: origin, evolution and future of placenta miRNAs. Placenta (December 16). doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2013.11.017. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24378039

• [3] ^ Red-Horse, Kristy, Yan Zhou, Olga Genbacev, Akraporn Prakobphol, Russell Foulk, Michael McMaster, and Susan J Fisher. 2004. Trophoblast differentiation during embryo implantation and formation of the maternal-fetal interface. The Journal of clinical investigation, no. 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15372095

• [4] ^ Taga, Shigeki, Junko Haraga, Mari Sawada, Aya Nagai, Dan Yamamoto, and Ryoji Hayase. 2013. A case of placental mesenchymal dysplasia. Case reports in obstetrics and gynecology (November 20). doi:10.1155/2013/265159. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24349807

Blastocyst are embryos that has undergone development five or six days post fertilization period. The number of cells that a human blastocyst may contain ranges between 70 and 120. Blastocyst occur after the morula enters the females uterine cavity and develops a fluid-filled cavity. The morula then becomes what appears to be a hollow ball of cells that is also known as a blastocyst.

Blastocyst Development Video

Within the blastocyst certain cells group together to form the inner cell mass that later goes on to becomes the embryo.

Neural stem cells have the capability to transform into glial cells or neurons. Oligodendrocytes used in treatment of TM and astrocytes are examples of glial cells.

What are Neural Cells and Why are they Important?

Different areas of the human body, spinal cord and brain house different types of specialized stem cells.  In haematology for example, cord blood derived stem cells transplants have been used for decades for their abilty to replenish white blood cells and bone marrow for patients with a wide variety of blood disorders due to cancer.  Similarly, neurogenerative conditions require special types of cells known as neural stem cells.

Neural Stem cells or “NSC” are considered immature cells and develop for the Central Nervous System (CNS).  Neural cells are defined by 3 characteristics

• Self-renewal potential
• Neural tripotency (ability to produce major neural lineages: astrocytes, neurons and oligodendrocytes)
• Ability for in vivo regeneration (post transplant)

The 5 types of Stem Cells

NSC cells have the potential to create both glia and neurons for human brains buy have limited regenerative capacity in a mature adult brain. For adults, neural cells reside in region called “neurogenic niches”. Their job is to retain multipotency and also to regulate balance between fate-committed asymmetric divisions and symmetrical self-renewal.  After decades of research, new protocols and gene therapies have been developed for functional medical therapies using cultured neural cells to treat several diseases of the brain. From early onset such as Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy to late onset neurodegenerative diseases like Ataxia, Motor Neuron Disease, ALS, Alzheimer’s – Dementia, Parkinson’s disease (PD) cell manipulation technology has enabled the Regen Centre to isolate and expand human neural stem cells for use in therapies

We are not currently at the stage where we can cure any/all neurodegenerative diseases so the goal of our NSC treatments is to first stop the progress of the disease and then replace and/or repair diseased or necrotic (dead) cells. Unlike other stem cell technologies that try to use just hematopoietic mesenchymal cells for brain injuries our treatment protocols used transplanted neural cells, neural progenitor cells and neural cell specific growth factors to ensure that any new transplanted cells survive after transplants and are able to integrate into the patients tissue. Any implanted cells for brain injuries or strokes must not only look like upper motor neurons but must also have vital properties that allow them to function as neurons. The cells used must be able to release neurotransmitters, be electrically excitable and create new circuitry / neural structures for complex brain processes and neural synapses.

Currently, conventional pharmacological based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases can help relieve some of the patients symptoms but usually do not alter the course of the underlying disease nor halt its progression.

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Pheresis refers to the process of stem cell extraction from blood. It involves the passing of donor blood through an extraction machine and the eventual isolation of the stem cells (PDF Link) found within prior to pumping of the blood back into the heart and vascular system.