STEM CELL, DRAWING

Three types of stem cells exist. Totipotent (totally potent) stem cells, present within th early embryo, are capable of forming every type of body cell. Pluripotent cells (also called embryonic stem cells) and multipotent cells (also called somatic or adult stem cells) are differentiated to varying degrees and produce specialized cells. Stem cells in the umbilical cord are hematopoietic. They are differentiated or specialized, adult stem cells that are committed to making blood cells.
We are starting to discover, however, that stem cells previously considered committed, like those that are found in the placenta, can differentiate into cell types that are entirely different from their tissue of origin when fertilized in vitro. Adult stem cells thus have a wider differentiation potential than previously imagined. It has been demonstrated, for example, that neural stem cells could produce blood cells or that mesenchymatic stem cells could produce hepatic cells or be used to repair a myocardial infarctions. If these particular characteristics are confirmed in humans, and if the process can be controlled, adult stem cells could become a true regenerative therapy for numerous domains.