2
$\begingroup$

I know that blood cells can pass through the smallest of capillaries, but I was wondering is it possible for stem cells to pass through the smallest of capillaries?

In other words, is it possible for a type of stem cell therapy where stem cells are injected into the vein in the arm for example and the stem cell would pass through into the tissue through a type of targeted therapy involving ultrasound or magnetic field.

Thank you very much , everyone

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ What should ultrasound or magnetic fields help here? $\endgroup$
    – Chris ♦
    Commented Jul 10, 2014 at 5:41
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ yes they can.. unless of course if the stem cell is not very huge.. $\endgroup$
    – WYSIWYG
    Commented Jul 10, 2014 at 11:58
  • $\begingroup$ I am still wondering do the stem cells just simply diffuse through the walls of the capillaries? $\endgroup$
    – user46725
    Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 3:28
  • $\begingroup$ I am thinking of some type of encapsulated stem cells where ultrasound, heat or magnetic fields from the MRI would break up the encapsulation releasing the stem cell at the targeted area. Is that plausible? $\endgroup$
    – user46725
    Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 3:33

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

Yes, stem cells can pass through blood vessels and capillaries (as @WYSIWYG points, these cells should be small enough to fit inside that capillary). The interesting thing is that they posses multiple mechanisms of transmigration. They are attracted by TNF-alpha activated endothelial cells [1] and can pass through by [1]:

  • leukocyte-like diapedesis
  • paracellular migration between endothelial cells
  • transcellular, directly through individual endothelial cells

I am thinking of some type of encapsulated stem cells where ultrasound, heat or magnetic fields from the MRI would break up the encapsulation releasing the stem cell at the targeted area.

Note: I don't know if the following is plausible. It is just something I thought of and I consider it to be more effective than what you suggested.

Then what is the purpose of using stem cells that are capable of chemotactic movements and can go by themselves in targeted areas? The encapsulation you propose could be used to fit inside the cell a drug-containing capsule that would break upon external electromagnetic, ultrasonic (etc.) stimulation. This means that the capsule would also contain a substance capable of inducing cytoplasmic membrane lysis, so the drug could reach the interstitial space. Or the cell could be genetically engineered to secrete that drug, when available in cytoplasm, through exocytosis.

But why not get rid of that capsule? A cell could contain (for example) a cytostatic drug in its cytoplasm and also be fitted with membrane receptors for a specific tumoral marker. When it reaches the tumor, receptor stimulation should trigger exocytosis of drug.

References:

  1. Teo GS, Ankrum JA, Martinelli R, Boetto SE, Simms K, Sciuto TE, Dvorak AM, Karp JM, Carman CV. Mesenchymal stem cells transmigrate between and directly through tumor necrosis factor-α-activated endothelial cells via both leukocyte-like and novel mechanisms. Stem Cells. 2012 Nov;30(11):2472-86. doi: 10.1002/stem.1198. PubMed PMID: 22887987.
Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ A couple of points: there are many kinds of stem cells (hematopoietic, gut epithelium etc etc) and its likely their respective ability to 'home' to a target tissue varies. Entry into a target tissue occurs when adhesion receptors on the circulating cell bind to ligands on the activated endothelium of the vessel. Another approach is to transduce the cells with an enzyme that acts on a prodrug per this type of approach $\endgroup$
    – PlaysDice
    Commented Jul 28, 2014 at 20:06

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .