A New Use for Stem Cells: Diagnosis

A New Use for Stem Cells: Diagnosis

Researchers at the Second Annual European Vascular Genomics Network conference taking place in Hamburg have announced that stem cells which circulate in the blood could be used as diagnostic markers for atherosclerosis. The stem cells in question are those produced by bone marrow and released into the bloodstream in the normal function of the body.

The diagnostic potential is in a deficit of these cells. Conditions such as smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels are risk factors for atherosclerosis. Individuals who have these conditions have fewer healthy stem cells in the blood or have stem cells which are unable to migrate throughout the body, to adhere to the endothelium, or to remain viable while repairing vascular injury. Consequently, a test showing a low level of the blood stem cells might predict the risk of atherosclerosis.

The researchers cautioned that much is still unknown. While it is known that stem cells can help in the healing of an infarcted heart, the mechanism by which stem cells do this has not yet been learned, nor do researchers know whether the cells which are doing the work are those which are completely differentiated, those which are not differentiated at all, or some other group.

Articles on this research can be found at DrugResearcher.com and Medical News Today.