User talk:Vannalas

Stem cells are a breakthrough in modern regenerative medicine. Their main potential lies in the ability to generate cells and tissues. Stem cells can also be directed to differentiate into specific cell types, thereby offering the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues - to treat diseases such as Parkinson's & Alzheimer's diseases, spinal cord injury, stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent studies have indicated the possibility to direct differentiation of stem cells into heart muscle cells or insulin-producing pancreatic cells. For example, it is now possible to generate healthy heart muscle cells from stem cells in the laboratory and transplant those cells into patients with chronic heart disease. In type I diabetes, the cells of the pancreas that normally produce insulin are destroyed by the patient's own immune system. It is now possible to direct the differentiation of stem cells in stem culture to form new insulin-producing cells that could eventually be used in transplantation therapy for diabetes.

Stem Cell therapy is the future alternative for donated organs and tissues as the need for transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. As with organ transplants, HLA typing of the donor's stem cells and the patient's blood greatly improves the chances for a successful stem cell transplant.

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing is a testing process that is used to match patients and donors for cord blood or bone marrow transplants.

HLA antigens are proteins found in most cells in our body. Our immune system uses these proteins or markers to recognize which cells belong in our body and which do not. If the immune system determines a cell as not belonging to the body, the cell is attacked. Thus, HLA typing is done to reduce the risk of the transplanted stem cell being attacked by the immune system of the recipient. A close match between the patient's HLA antigens and the donor's can reduce the risk of the patient's immune cells attacking the donor's cells or vice versa. HLA typing is usually done for all allogeneic transplants, using a blood sample.

HLA Typing For Stem Cell Transplants A well-matched donor is important to the success of the stem cell transplant. There are 6 HLA markers that are matched. For a successful transplant, at least 4 of these 6 markers must match. In some cases even a 3/6 match has been successful. However, it is best to have 4 or more markers that match as it reduces the risk of graft versus host disease. As HLA antigens are inherited, the best chances of finding matches are between siblings. As everybody inherits half of their HLA antigens from their mother and half from their father, a sibling has a 25% chance of matching another. During a transplant, the patient's parents and/or children are also tested to confirm the HLA typing and to make sure no possible donors are overlooked.