Stem cells in human bones can renew themselves

Researchers have found stem cells in human bones that have self-renewal capabilities, opening up prospects for bone and cartilage regeneration.

According to NIH, it is possible to develop into several or more types of cells in the body. They can divide throughout life to replace sick or injured cells. When a stem cell divides, each of its daughter cells can remain a stem cell, or develop into a specialized function cell, such as bone or cartilage cells.

The most studied stem cell type in the bone is called , or HSC . HSC cells create blood cells. Researchers are still looking for the type of stem cells that make up bone and cartilage tissue. Recent studies on mice have found that stem cells in bones can produce bone, cartilage and extra tissue, but not fat, muscle, or other cells.

Scientists have found stem cells in human bones.(Source: Thinkstock).

Researchers have investigated whether or not stem cells in bone exist in humans. They do a lot of experiments to compare bone cells of people with mice.

First, scientists analyze human tissue cells taken from the growth cartilage region, which produces cells for bone growth. By analyzing the RNA sequence, they found potential stem cells that expressed the same gene as the stem cells in the bones of mice.

The team found and identified several areas in the human bone that have special cells, which resemble stem cells in the mouse bone. These cells can be divided into two types: potential single (can only produce one type of bone cell) and multiple potentials (can produce many types of bone cells, including bone, cartilage and stromal .)

Stem cells in human bones are cultured in a laboratory.

By marking and tracking these cells, scientists have discovered a population of bone stem cells that function to produce bone, cartilage and gland tissue. They also created a detailed map of how stem cells grow into bone cells. Human bone stem cells can be harvested from both mature embryos and bones, as well as created in the laboratory from induced pluripotent stem cells (cells can produce any type of cell.) The researcher also showed that human bone stem cells can be made from specialized cells in fat.

Every day, children and adults need normal bone, cartilage and cushioning tissue. It will be a step forward if fat cells can be used from liposuction of patients with arthritis themselves to produce stem cells, then inject into their joints to form new cartilage tissue, or if Can simulate new bone formation to cure fractures in the elderly.