Question

2. Discuss stem cell therapy as a method of regenerating areas of injury that normally would be replaced by scar tissue, such as the brain or heart. what is the current status of research in this area?

3. Discuss somatic cell reprogramming with transcription factors and microRNA for cardiac tissue regeneration in animals.

4. What is the treatment for scar tissue in soft tissue areas ground joints and ligaments (contractures).

Answer 1

STEM CELL THERAPY:- It is use of stem cells to treat or prevent a disease or condition. Bone marrow transplant and umblical cord blood is also used for this treatment.

In heart disease stem cell therapy usually makes use of autologous bone marrow stem cells, however other stem cells may also be used such as adipose derived stem cells. Adult stem cell therapy for treating heart disease has include the following possible mechanisms:-

• Generation of heart muscle cells.
• Stimulation of growth of new blood vessels to regrowth damaged heart tissues and muscles.
• Secretion of growth factors.
• It is the most important benefit of stem cell therapy is the potential for cardiac tissue regeneration to reverse the tissue loss underlying the development of cardiac failure after heart injury.

SOMATIC CELL PROGRAMMING:- Many of the heart diseases are usually irreversible, scar tissue formed by cardiac fibroblasts served compensatory roles for the injured heart but eventually weaken cardiac function and result in life threatening heart failures. Different method has been used to treat cardiac disease which include the use of transcription factors and microRNA for cardiac tissue regeneration. In some cases at early preliminary stages the plausibility of applying cardiac programming on patients for regenerative purposes is exciting.

In somatic cell programming microRNA is used which has a property of differentiation and development of many new cells and tissues and this is helpful for the regeneration of heart muscles and tissues.

TREATMENT FOR SCAR TISSUE IN SOFT TISSUE AREAS:-

To treat the scar tissue in soft tissue areas one of the treatment known as GRASTON TECHNIQUE in which main purpose is to reduce pain and increase the function by breaking down scar tissue in the injured area and lessening restrictions caused by trauma such as strained muscle, pulled tendon or ligament.

In this technique cross friction massage is used that rubs and brushes against the grain of scar tissue. This massage increases the blood flow in the scar area, which help support the natural healing of soft tissues being treated.