Archive for the ‘Skin Stem Cells’ Category

OK, so now we know the problem. There are certain genes needed to make a cell turn into an ES cell. Since these genes are presumably off in a skin cell, we need to turn them on again. And have all of the skin cell genes shut off too.

The way the scientists decided to do this was to add back whatever genes are needed to erase the pattern in the skin cell. (These genes are off in a skin cell.) This is a lot easier than specifically turning on this small set of genes.

The way they decided to add back the genes was with a virus. A lot of gene therapy gets done this way.

Many viruses work by sticking themselves into a cell's DNA. What the scientists planned to do was to take out some of the nonessential virus DNA and put in the necessary genes.

We're all set except we don't yet have the genes. Scientists had figured out through various means that if they added 24 different genes to a skin cell, it would turn into an ES cell. Yikes!

That is way too many to do gene therapy. So they started taking one away at a time to find the really key ones. They finally settled on 4 genes. This is still an awful lot but it is at least doable.

Last year they added back these genes and got some promising results. The skin cells took on many of the properties of ES cells but not all of them. This is encouraging but not good enough.

To fix this, they changed the skin cells to make selecting the most ES-like ones easier to do. When they did this, they were able to grow cells that essentially looked like an ES cell.

As a final test, they added some of these cells to an early mouse embryo. The embryo grew into a pup that contained different cell types derived from the original embryo and the skin cells (a chimera). This test proved these cells had been turned into something that could be used as ES cells.

Cool. But it is not a slam dunk to get this to work in people. We don't know if these same 4 genes are the ones that work in people too. And around 20% of the mice died from cancers caused by one of the added genes.

But these are problems we can deal with. Of course we'll have to continue to use "real" ES cells to figure out the genes needed to turn skin cells into ES cells. In other words, we need to destroy embryos now to stop destroying them in the future.

This research will progress very quickly. Because the experiments are easier to do than cloning, little labs all over the world can tackle these kinds of questions with no government interference. Personalized medicine may be here sooner than we think.

Link:
Embryonic stem cells from skin cells | Understanding Genetics

At a Glance

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Our skin is an extremely important and multi-faceted organ. It protects our insides by providing a cover for our body and is responsible for preventing pathogens entering our organism. The skin also fulfills other important roles by regulating body temperature, in the area of metabolism, and for our sensitivity to touch and stimuli.

In addition, our skin also contains a large quantity of autologous stem cells (so-called adult stem cells). Autologous stem cells are on the one hand relevant for the external appearance of the skin, and on the other hand they offer a great deal of positive therapeutic potential in the area of regenerative medicine.

If we bear in mind what kind of functions our skin has, it becomes obvious why we should be paying special attention to its health.

Already in the traditional European medicine there was the tenet As inside, so outside. Even in modern science we know that it is important to distinguish between cause and effect and that many degenerative processes inside the body manifest externally.

For example, various factors can lead to a massive acceleration of the per se normal skin aging: Stress, overload and unhealthy diet can cause hormonal dysfunction, which in turn leads to premature aging and tissue slackening. Certain lifestyle habits such as tanning booths as well as smoking can cause skin damages over time, which can often make people concerned look more than 10 years older than they actually are.

Our therapeutic approach is not only to treat the symptom (= premature aging of the skin), but the cause (= e.g., hormone deficiency) as far as possible. Combinations of both the therapy of the cause and targeted local treatments can be useful, especially when a large distress is present and/or the skin damages are very advanced.

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Perfect Skin by DDr.Heinrich Beauty Drink

We use the autologous substances for our skin treatments. We never use artificial fillers (e.g., silicone) or Botox, because their side effects often lead to a worsening of skin quality.

When we are young, the body still has enough stem cells and produces sufficient growth factors and hormones, however, as the years pass, the body produces less of them. This wear process can be accelerated by stress, overwork, poor nutrition and certain lifestyle habits. The external signs of premature aging appear, such as wrinkles, slackening of tissue, sagging cheeks and greying of the skin.

All types of treatment offered by our clinic serve the purpose of giving your skin back a certain amount of quality, elasticity and freshness by targeted application of the autologous substances or substances similar to the bodys own.

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Skin Regeneration with Stem Cells, Growth Factors ...

Scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell in the skin that acts surprisingly like certain stem cells found in embryos: both can generate fat, bone, cartilage, and even nerve cells. These newly-described dermal stem cells may one day prove useful for treating neurological disorders and persistent wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, says Freda Miller, an HHMI international research scholar.

Miller and her colleagues first saw the cells several years ago in both rodents and people, but only now confirmed that the cells are stem cells. Like other stem cells, these cell scan self-renew and, under the right conditions, they can grow into the cell types that constitute the skins dermal layer, which lies under the surface epidermal layer. We showed that these cells are, in fact, the real thing, says Miller, a professor at the University of Toronto and a senior scientist in the department of developmental biology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The dermal stem cells also appear tohelp form the basis for hair growth.The new work was published December 4, 2009, in the journal Cell Stem Cells.

Stem cell researchers like to talk about building organs in a dish. You can imagine, if you have all the right playersdermal stem cells and epidermal stem cellsworking together, you could do that with skin in a very real way.

Freda D. Miller

Though this research focuses on the skin, Miller has spent her career searching for cures for neurological diseases such as Parkinsons. About a decade ago, she decided to find an easily accessible cell that could be coaxed into making nerves. Brain stem cells, some of which can grow into nerves, lie deep in the middle of the organ and are too difficult to reach if the scientists eventually wanted to cultivate the cells from individual patients. I thought, This is blue sky stuff, but you never know. She searched the literature and found that amphibians can regenerate nerves in their skin. She also found published hints that mammalian nerve cells could do the same.

Her team looked in the dermal layer of the skin in both mice and people. Hair follicles and sweat glands are rooted in the dermis, a thick layer of cells that also help support and nourish blood vessels and touch-perceiving nerves. In 2001, Millers team hit paydirt when they discovered cells that respond to the same growth factors that make brain stem cells differentiate. She named them skin-derived precursors (SKPs, or skips).

Miller soon discovered that the cells act like neural crest cells from embryosstem cells that generate the entire peripheral nervous system and part of the headin that they could turn into nerves, fat, bone, and cartilage.That gave us the idea that these were some kind of embryonic-like precursor cell that migrated into the skin of the embryo, Miller said. But instead of disappearing as the embryo develops, the cells survive into adulthood.

Even though the SKPs acted like stem cells in Petri dishes, Miller didnt know if they behaved the same way in the body. We were obviously very excited about these cells, she said. The problem was, cells can do all kinds of weird things in culture dishes that look right but really arent. We thought, Maybe were being deceived.So lab member Jeffrey Biernaskie put the cells through their paces, performing a series of experiments to test whether the SKPs indeed acted like stem cells in the body.

Earlier work in the lab had shown that the SKPs produce a transcription factor called SOX2, which is produced in many types of stem cells. The team used genetically engineered mice with SOX2 genes tagged with green fluorescent protein, which allowed them to track where SOX2 was expressed in the animals. They found that about 1% of skin cells from adult mice contained the SOX2-making cells, and they were concentrated in the bulb at the base of hair follicles.When the team cultured these cells, they began behaving like SKPs.

Next, the scientists decided to see if the cells would not just settle at the base of hair follicles but grow new hair. They took the fluorescent cells, mixed them with epidermal cellswhich make up the majority of cells in a hair follicleand transplanted the mixture under the skin of hairless mice. These mice began growing hair, and analysis showed the green cells migrated to their home base in the bulb of the new hair follicles. The team also transplanted rat SKP cells under the skin of mice. The cells behaved exactly like dermal stem cellsthey spread out through the dermis and differentiated into various dermal cell types, including fat cells and dermal fibroblasts, which form the structural framework of the dermal layer. Intriguingly, the mice that carried transplanted rat SKPs also grew longer, thicker,rat-like hair, instead of short, thin mouse hair. These cells are instructive, they tell the epidermal cellswhich form the bulk of the hair follicleto make bigger, rat-like hair follicles, Miller said. There are a lot of jokes in my lab about bald men running around with rat hair on their heads.

Finally, the team gave mice small puncture wounds and then transplanted their fluorescent SKPs next to the wound. Within a month, many transplanted cells appeared in the scar, showing they had contributed to wound healing. The SKPs were also found in new hair follicles in the healed skin.

The cells behavior both in wound healing and hair growth led the team to conclude that the SKPs are, in fact, dermal stem cells. Miller said the finding complements work by HHMI investigator Elaine Fuchs, who found epidermal stem cells, which help renew the top layer of skin. Combining the evidence from the two labs suggests a possible path to baldness treatments, Miller saidthe dermal stem cells at the base of the hair follicle seem to be signaling the epidermal cells that form the shaft of the follicle to grow hair. But much about the signaling mechanism remains unknown.

Miller wants to investigate less cosmetic applications, such as treating nerve and brain diseases. Experiments she published between 2005 and 2007 showed that SKPs can grow into nerves and help repair spinal cord damage in rats. Her lab is continuing to pursue that research. She is also searching for signals that could trigger the dermal stem cells to rev up their innate wound-healing ability. If such a signal can be found and mimicked, Miller can envision one day treating chronic woundssuch as diabetic ulcerswith a topical cream. Such a treatment is years or decades away, she said, but now researchers know which cell types to focus on. Another possibility: improving skin grafts, which today consist of only epidermal, not dermal, cells. While skin grafts can dramatically help burn victims, those grafts dont function like normal skin.

Stem cell researchers like to talk about building organs in a dish, said Miller. You can imagine, if you have all the right playersdermal stem cells and epidermal stem cellsworking together, you could do that with skin in a very real way.

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Research News: New Skin Stem Cells Surprisingly Similar to ...

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Stem cells are super unique in that they have the ability to go through numerous cycles and cell divisions while maintaining the undifferentiated state. Primarily, stem cells are capable of self-renewal and can transform themselves into other cell types of the same tissue. Their crucial role is to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissue. Stem cells have a limited life expectation due to environmental and intrinsic stress factors. Because their life is endangered by internal and external stresses, stem cells have to be protected and supported to delay preliminary aging. In aged bodies, the number and activity of stem cells in reduced.

Until several years ago, the tart, unappealing breed of the Swiss-grown Uttwiler Sptlauber apples, did not seem to offer anything of value. That was until Swiss scientists discovered the unusual longevity of the stem cells that kept these apples alive months after other apples shriveled and fell off their trees. In the rural region of Switzerland, home of these magical apples, it was discovered that when the unpicked apples or tree bark was punctured, Swiss Apple trees have the ability to heal themselves and last longer than other varieties. What was the secret to these apples prolonged lives?

These scientists got to work to find out. What they revealed was that apple stem cells work just like human stem cells, they work to maintain and repair skin tissue. The main difference is that unlike apple stem cells, skin stem cells do not have a long lifespan, and once they begin depleting, the signs of aging start kicking in (in the forms of loose skin, wrinkles, the works). Time to harness these apple stem cells into anti aging skin care! Not so fast. As mentioned, Uttwiler Sptlauber apples are now very rare to the point that the extract can no longer be made in a traditional fashion. The great news is that scientists developed a plant cell culture technology, which involves breeding the apple stem cells in the laboratory.

Human stem cells on the skins epidermis are crucial to replenish the skin cells that are lost due to continual shedding. When epidermal stem cells are depleted, the number of lost or dying skin cells outpaces the production of new cells, threatening the skins health and appearance.

Like humans, plants also have stem cells. Enter the stem cells of the Uttwiler Sptlauber apple tree, whose fruit demonstrates an exceptionally long shelf-life. How can these promising stem cells help our skin?

Studies show that apple stem cells boosts production of human stem cells, protect the cell from stress, and decreases wrinkles. How does it work? The internal fluid of these plant cells contains components that help to protect and maintain human stem cells. Apple stem cells contain metabolites to ensure longevity as the tree is known for the fact that its fruit keep well over long periods of time.

When tested in vitro, the apple stem cell extract was applied to human stem cells from umbilical cords and was found to increase the number of the stem cells in culture. Furthermore, the addition of the ingredient to umbilical cord stem cells appeared to protect the cells from environmental stress such as UV light.

Apple stem cells do not have to be fed through the umbilical cord to benefit our skin! The extract derived from the plant cell culture technology is being harnessed as an active ingredient in anti aging skincare products. When delivered into the skin nanotechnology, the apple stem cells provide more dramatic results in decreasing lines, wrinkles, and environmental damage.

Currently referred to as The Fountain of Youth, intense research has proved that with just a concentration level of 0.1 % of the PhytoCellTec (apple stem cell extract) could proliferate a wealth of human stem cells by an astounding 80%! These wonder cells work super efficiently and are completely safe. Of the numerous benefits of apple stems cells, the most predominant include:

Skin Layers

Skin Cell Activity Before

Skin Cell Activity After 1 Hour

Read more:
Apple Stem Cells - Sonya Dakar Skin Clinic

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Stem cells play many important roles in our bodies from embryonic development through adulthood.

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Stem cells can now be created from differentiated cells.

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Learn about some different types of stem cells and their potential for treating diseases.

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Send activating signals to stem cells and watch them get to work!

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Stem cell therapies have been curing diseases for decades.

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Researchers are working on new ways to use stem cells in medicine.

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New developments in research are changing the conversation about stem cells.

Supported by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Grant No. R25RR023288 from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the NIH. The contents provided here are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIH.

APA format: Genetic Science Learning Center (2014, June 22) Stem Cells. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved September 25, 2015, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/stemcells/ MLA format: Genetic Science Learning Center. "Stem Cells." Learn.Genetics 25 September 2015 <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/stemcells/> Chicago format: Genetic Science Learning Center, "Stem Cells," Learn.Genetics, 22 June 2014, <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/stemcells/> (25 September 2015)

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Stem Cells - Learn Genetics

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SOURCE CVSL Inc.

LYON, France, Sept. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Agel Enterprises, a company within the CVSL Inc. (NYSE MKT: CVSL) family of direct-to-consumer brands, today introduced what it expects will become the next generation of skin care.

It is a unique and revolutionary system called "Caspi" that uses stem cell extract from the finest Siberian Sturgeon caviar and 24 karat gold which is intended to make skin appear more youthful by helping encourage the growing layer of skin to produce youthful-looking skin tissue. The skin may actually appear firmer and more radiant over time, with fewer lines and wrinkles.

The new skin care system was unveiled today in Lyon, France, at Agel's annual worldwide convention. Today's announcement was made by John Rochon Jr., CVSL's vice chairman, who said of the new products, "I believe this is the most important and most dramatic skin care advance of the past 50 years."

"We believe Caspi is unlike anything the beauty market has ever seen. Caspi's exclusive formula literally takes skin care back to the very basis and core of young, healthy skin. The egg is the ultimate source of youth, purity and life. Using caviar stem cell extract for skin care is a unique innovation," added Mr. Rochon.

"If a new product is so good that it actually can change the way a person looks, to the point that their friends see a visible difference, it opens huge earning and recruiting opportunities for the entrepreneurs who are lucky enough to sell it," said Mr. Rochon. "We believe Caspi is the kind of breakthrough that can launch a whole new level of income growth for our independent sales force."

Caspi consists of a three-part beauty regimen:

Developed by a team of highly-respected cosmetic chemists, Caspi combines the highest quality natural ingredients. Unlike ordinary skin care products that are little more than masks, the new productgoes to the very source of life and regeneration -- and combines it with the ultimate symbols of luxury: caviar and gold.

Caspi is available exclusively through the Agel independent sales force. Agel is a global seller of nutritional products in gel form as well as a skin care line, operating in 40 countries.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Agel now has what we believe to be the most exciting skin care line in the world," said Jeff Higginson, Agel's co-CEO. "From the packaging to the product itself, it is simply extraordinary. We expect that when customers try it,they will never be satisfied with other skin care products again. It is an incredible product."

About CVSL

CVSL is a growing platform of direct-to-consumer brands. Within CVSL, each company retains its own separate brand identity, sales force and compensation plan. CVSL companies currently include The Longaberger Company, a 42-year old maker of hand-crafted baskets and other home decor items; Your Inspiration At Home, an award-winning maker of hand-crafted spices and other gourmet food items from around the world; Tomboy Tools, a direct seller of tools designed for women as well as home security systems; Agel Enterprises, a global seller of nutritional products in gel form as well as a skin care line, operating in 40 countries; Paperly, which offers a line of custom stationery and other personalized products; My Secret Kitchen, a U.K.-based seller of gourmet food products; Uppercase Living, which offers an extensive line of customizable vinyl expressions for display on walls in the home; and Kleeneze, a UK-based seller of cleaning, health, beauty, home, outdoor and a variety of other products. CVSL also includes Happenings, a lifestyle publication and marketing company.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," or "will" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. These statements include statements about the growth of CVSL, the anticipated customer results after they try the products and the impact of the new skin care line on the beauty market. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including our ability to unveil the product line when anticipated, the customer demand for the products and the risks outlined under "Risk Factors" in CVSL's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 and those risks discussed in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements to differ materially from expectations. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform our statements to actual results or changed expectations.

CVSL Media Contact: Russell Mack (rmack@cvsl.us.com) CVSL Investor Relations Contact: Tucker Gagan (tucker.gagan@cvsl.us.com)

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150917/267806

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agel-introduces-caspi-a-skin-care-breakthrough-new-product-uses-caviar-stem-cell-extract-and-24-karat-gold-300145329.html

2015 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.

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Agel Introduces "Caspi," A Skin Care Breakthrough New ...

Are you aging prematurely? Do you suffer from fine lines, wrinkles, crow feet or skin allergies? Or are you plagued by acne and have tried all kinds of facial creams to no avail.

The first principle in keeping your skin healthy and young is to do no harm to your skin. Smoking and over exposure to the sun are 2 major culprits in causing premature aging. Do you know that your skin is the largest organ in your body and therefore very susceptible to absorbing toxins into our body which ultimately affects how we look? If you dont observe this principle, the best anti-aging skin care in the world will not produce the optimal result you desire.

There is a longlist ofbeauty products or skincare products to choose from: Organic skin care products, Japanese skin care products, Korean skin care products to plant stem cell skincare, etc. There is an equally long listof cosmetic brands or skin care brands to choose from: Elizabeth Arden, SK-II, Kiehls, Origins, Philosophy, etc. Which anti aging creams actually work? Which one is suitable for you? Or what worked for you 5 years ago, may not work for you today. What worked for you as a teenager may not work for you as a middle aged adult. What worked for you when you lived in a tropical country like Singapore or Malaysia may not work for you when you relocate to a city like Beijing or Chicago with its harsh winter climate.

The best skin care product is the one that works for you in all climates whether you live in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Australia or the US. It should also work for you regardless of your age or your race.

If you are looking for an anti aging serum to rejuvenate your skin, or a facial cream to repair your damaged skin, you should consider the Jeunesse Luminesce skin care products manufactured by Jeunesse Global.

Jeunesse is a French word for youth. Jeunesse Luminesce skin care range of products is entirely based on stem cell technology. Stem cell technology is the latest in cutting edge technology in health science. The scientist behind the Jeunesse Luminesce skin care range is Dr. Nathan Newman, a world-renowned cosmetic surgeon who also pioneered Stem Cell Lift cutting edge cosmetic surgery, without cutting. The philosophy behind Jeunesse Luminesce skin care products is simple: it must really work, it must be safe and it must be based on proven cutting edge health science(stem cell technology).

The potential of stem cell technology is immense. It holds the promise that one day it will change the world, but today, it will rejuvenateyour skins.

Unfortunately a lot of the skin care or beauty products out in the market are based on voodoo science. Some products work quite fast but are extremely toxic to the body causing long term damage to your vital organs. If you are using any skin care products which contain harmful chemicals, please stop immediately. Start using Jeunesse Luminesce Cellular Rejuvenation Serum and experience the rejuvenation yourself.

It is simply the best anti aging serum that really works. When you update your Facebook photo, dont be surprised if your friends ask you if you had a facelift.

Read this article:
Best Stem Cell Skincare By Jeunesse: Key to Skin Renewal

Published August 19, 2015

This image of the lab-grown brain is labeled to show identifiable structures: the cerebral hemisphere, the optic stalk and the cephalic flexure, a bend in the mid-brain region, all characteristic of the human fetal brain.(The Ohio State University)

Researchers at The Ohio State University were able to create a nearly complete human brain that matches the brain maturity of a 5-week-old fetus by using adult human skin cells.

The brain organoid is about the size of a pencil eraser and has an identifiable structure containing 99 percent of the genes present in the human fetal brain, according to a news release. Scientists say its the most complete human brain model yet developed.

It not only looks like the developing brain, its diverse cell types express nearly all genes like a brain, Rene Anand, a professor of biological chemistry and pharmacology at Ohio State, said in a news release. Weve struggled for a long time trying to solve complex brain disease problems that cause tremendous pain and suffering. The power of this brain model bodes very well for human health because it gives us better and more relevant options to test and develop therapeutics other than rodents.

Anand, who began his quest four years ago, studies the association between nicotinic receptors and central nervous system disorders. Hes hopeful that the lab-grown brain will provide ethical and more rapid and accurate testing of experimental drugs before the clinical trial stage.

In central nervous system diseases, this will enable studies of either underlying genetic susceptibility or purely environmental influences, or a combination, Anand said in the news release. Genomic science infers there are up to 600 genes that give rise to autism, but we are stuck there. Mathematical correlations and statistical methods are insufficient to in themselves identify causation. You need an experimental system you need a human brain.

Anand and his team built the model system in 15 weeks, using techniques to convert adult skin cells into pluripotent cells, which are immature cells that can be programmed to become any tissue in the body. They worked to differentiate pluripotent stem cells into cells that are designed to become neural tissue, according to the news release.

While the model lacks a vascular system, it does contain a spinal cord, all major regions of the brain, multiple cell types, signaling circuitry and a retina, according to the news release.

Anand reported on his research at the 2015 Military Health System Research Symposium.

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Researchers create lab-grown brain using human skin cells ...

This is an achievement: Scientists have used skin cells to build a rudimentary human brain. (These were induced pluripotent stem cells.) From The Guardian story:

Though not conscious the miniature brain, which resembles that of a five-week-old foetus, could potentially be useful for scientists who want to study the progression of developmental diseases. It could also be used to test drugs for conditions such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons, since the regions they affect are in place during an early stage of brain development.

The brain, which is about the size of a pencil eraser, is engineered from adult human skin cells and is the most complete human brain model yet developed, claimed Rene Anand of Ohio State University, Columbus, who presented the work today at the Military Health System Research Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

May it be so.

Lets analyze what this breakthrough could portend:

1. No need for unethical human cloning to derive cells for use in research and drug testing.

2. No need for fetal farming for experimentation and organ transplants.

3. No need for Planned Parenthood dismemberments of fetuses killed in a less crunchy way in abortion.

Remember when embryonic stem cells were OUR ONLY HOPE?

And that those of us who said that particular meme wasnt true were anti science? Pshaw.

#applause

Read more from the original source:
ETHICAL Stem Cells Grow Human Brain | National Review Online

It is astonishing how the cosmetic industry uses medical discoveries and put these formulas into skin cream jars.

In 2009 the American company Voss laboratories was the first that introduced stem cell active ingredients into a cosmetic product. Due to the fact that the company didnt reveal their secret ingredients, it created a worldwide rumor that the company might be using human stem cells.

The world started to question if this would be ethical and safe.

Coming from the medical stand point: with human stem cells you can actually build and rebuild human organs but also carcinogenic cell. For that reason it created great concerns.

Now days many trendsetting companies producing stem cell creams and serums that dont use human stem cells

Stem cells are a class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types

Adult or somatic stem cells exist throughout the body after embryonic development and are found inside of different types of tissue. These stem cells have been found in tissues such as the brain, bone marrow, blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, liver, and the Skin ( basal layer and fat layer) . They remain in a quiescent or non-dividing state for years until activated by disease or tissue injury.

Adult stem cells can divide ( copy) or self-renew indefinitely, enabling them to generate a range of cell types from the originating organ or even regenerates the entire original organ.

Plant Stem Cells benefits human skin.

Stem cells from a rare red grape variety provide the basis for Israel based company On-Macabim latest skin care ingredient.

This variety is one of the few red grapes that have red flesh and juice the majority have red skin but white flesh and juice which is due to the high quantity of anthocyanins in the fruit.

The anthocyanins, also present in the flesh, leading to higher antioxidant levels overall.

The technology was developed last year and allows to extract stem cells from the plant which can then be formulated into a cosmetic ingredient to help protect the stem cells in human skin.

To harvest the stem cells the company first induces a wound in the plant which causes the surrounding cells to dedifferentiate (turn back into stem cells) and form a wound healing tissue called a callus.

Once the wound has healed these cells can differentiate again and build new tissue

According to On-macabim, these plant stem cells contain components and epigenetic factors that can protect human skin stem cells form UV radiation, inflammation, oxidative stress, neutralize free radicals and reverse the effects of photoaging.

Stem cells are found in the epidermal layer of the skin and are involved in skin growth and regeneration. If they are harmed by UV radiation,

their power to regenerate will be jeopardized.

Grape stem cells have the ability to promote healthy skin proliferation.

Grape Stem Cells Counteract Negative

Effects of UV Radiation on

Skin Stem Cells

In an in-vitro study, skin stem cells were treated with and without

the Grape Stem Cells.

Some were exposed to UVA+UVB-light; others were unexposed.

CFE was determined in each case.

Results confirmed that cells treated with the Grape Stem Cells increased

the CFE of the skin stem cells. A 58% decrease in CFE was observed

when skin stem cells were exposed to UV radiation (control).

However, the presence of the Grape Stem Cells counteracted the negative effect of UV radiation on the cells as the CFE remained at the same level when exposed to the UV radiation.

Therefore, the Grape Stem Cells protect skin stem cells against UV stress.

Benefits of the Grape Stem Cell products

Regenerative, repair and rejuvenating properties

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Stem cell and skin care. | Esthetics Association Florida

Our skin has the amazing capability to renew itself throughout our adult life. Also, our hair follicle goes through a cycle of growth and degeneration. This happens all the time in our skin even though we are not aware of it. However, even though skin renews itself we still have to help it a little bit to get better results. Stem cells play an important role in this process of skin renewal or hair growth and the purpose of this article is to discuss and provide additional information about these tiny cells that play a big part in our life.

Skin stem cell is defined as multipotent adult skin cells which are able to self-renew or differentiate into various cell lineages of the skin. These cells are active throughout our life via skin renewal process or during skin repair after injuries. These cells reside in the epidermis and hair follicle and one of their purposes is to ensure the maintenance of adult skin and hair regeneration.

The truth is, without these little cells, our skin wouldnt be able to cope with various environmental influences. Our skin is exposed to different influences 24/7, for example, washing your face with soap, going out during summer or cold winter days etc. All these factors have a big impact on our skin and it constantly has to renew itself to stay in a good condition. This is where skin stem cells step in. They make sure your skin survives the influence of constant stress, heat, cold, even makeup, soap, etc.

Our skin is quite sensitive and due to its constant exposure to different influences throughout the day, it can get easily damage. Damage to skin cells can be caused by pretty much everything, from soap to cigarette smoke. One of the most frequent skin cell damages are the result of:

Skin stem cells are still subjected to scientific projects where researchers are trying to discover as much as possible about them. So far, they have identified several types of these cells, and they are:

Also, some scientists suggest that there is another type of stem cells mesenchymal stem cells which can be found in dermis (layer situated below the epidermis) and hypodermis (innermost and the thickest layer of the skin). However, this claim has been branded controversial and is a subject of many arguments and disputes between scientists. It is needed to conduct more experiments to find out whether this statement really is true.

Stem cells are found in many organs and tissues, besides skin. For example, scientists have discovered stem sells in brain, heart, bone marrow, peripheral blood, skeletal muscle, teeth, liver, gut etc. Stem cells reside in a specific area of each tissue or organ and that area is called stem cell niche. The same case is with the skin as well.

The ability of stem cells to regenerate and form almost any cell type in the body inspired scientists to work on various skin products that contain stem cells. Also, they decided to investigate the effect of plant stem cells on human skin. They discovered that plant stem cells are, actually, very similar to human skin stem cells and they function in a similar way as well. This discovery made scientists turn to plants as the source of stem cells and are trying to include them into the skin products due to their effectiveness in supporting skins cellular turnover. Another similarity between plant stem cells and human skin stem cells is their ability to develop according to their environment.

Fun Fact: The inspiration to use plant stem cells in skin care came from an unusual place almost extinct apple tree from Switzerland.

The benefits of plant stem cells on human skin are versatile. They offer possibility to treat some skin conditions, heal wounds, and repair the skin after some injury faster than it would usually take. Also, they bring back elasticity to the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and slow down the aging process.

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Skin Stem Cells: Benefits, Types, Medical Applications and ...

Hair follicle lineage and niche signals regulate hair follicle stem cells. (a) HFSCs can exist in two states. Quiescent bulge stem cells (Bu-SCs) are located in the outer layer of this niche and contribute to the generation of the outer root sheath. Primed stem cells reside in the hair germ, sandwiched between the bulge and a specialized dermal cluster known as the dermal papilla. They are responsible for generating the transit amplifying cell (TAC) matrix, which then gives rise to the hair shaft and its inner root sheath (IRS) channel. Although matrix and IRS are destroyed during catagen, many of the outer root sheath (ORS) cells are spared and generate a new bulge right next to the original one at the end of catagen. The upper ORS contributes to the outer layer of the new bulge, and the middle ORS contributes to the hair germ. Some of the lower ORS cells become the differentiated inner keratin 6+ (K6+) bulge cells, which provide inhibitory signals to Bu-SCs, raising their activation threshold for the next hair cycle. (b) During telogen, K6+ bulge cells produce BMP6 and FGF-18, dermal fibroblasts (DFs) produce BMP4 and subcutaneous adipocytes express BMP2. Together, these factors maintain Bu-SCs and hair germ in quiescence. At the transition to anagen, BMP2 and BMP4 are downregulated, whereas the expression of activation factors including noggin (NOG), FGF-7, FGF-10 and TGF-2 from dermal papillae and PDGF- from adipocyte precursor cells (APCs) is elevated. This, in turn, stimulates hair germ proliferation, and a new hair cycle is launched. Bu-SCs maintain their quiescent state until TAC matrix is generated and starts producing SHH.

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Emerging interactions between skin stem cells and their ...

ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum encourages new epidermal cell growth while protecting and prolonging the cell life of existing skin cells. Wrinkle depth is reduced, hyperpigmentation lightened, and collagen/elastin fibers become thicker and stronger. The ratio of older skin cells to younger skin cells is reversed. Skin looks visibly younger.

Elegantly formulated with fruit-derived Malus Domestica Fruit Stem Cell Extract, ProgeniDerm protects against chromosomal damage that signals skin cells to undergo apoptosis (cell death). Often this signal is sent prematurely due to free radical damage caused by UV light, smoke, stress, etc. With protection against this damage, existing skin cells live longer and more new cells are created.

The Malus Domestica Fruit Stem Cell Extract in ProgeniDerm restores aging skin stem cells regenerative properties. In-vitro and in-vivo testing showed that this new extract:

The ultimate result: skin that regains its ability to repair itself and regenerate new skin cells within two weeks. Substantially greater numbers of new epithelial cells are formed. Enzymes are released that protect cells from damage that shorten the skin cell life cycle. The addition of chondrus crispus (red seaweed/algae extract) and palmitoyl oligopeptide in a hyaluronic acid base combine to make our ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell serum a powerful new tool against premature aging.

Note: Epidermal skin stem cell DNA/chromosomal protection is the newest, most exciting direction for anti-aging products currently. Cellular Skin Rx is proud to be able to provide a serum containing this cutting-edge, naturally-derived extract to our customers. Now that peptides are firmly established as helpful to the skin for relaxing, firming, and reducing inflammation, using naturally-derived fruit stem cell extracts to prevent damage at the most basic cellular level is taking skin care to a whole new realm. You will see more and more of this approach to maintaining a younger complexion moving forward -with Cellular Skin Rx proudly providing you with products that incorporate these new Active Ingredients That Work.

After applying antioxidant serum of your choice, apply twice daily including eye area.

Combining with antioxidant serums such as C+ Firming serum or CSRx Antioxidant Complex yields best results.

Two weeks to gorgeous skin routine: Each morning use CSRx Antioxidant Defense Complex then C+ Firming serum, follow with ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum, then any wrinkle-relaxers/firming products/moisturizers/sunscreen you regularly use. Each night use Age-Limit Advanced Refinishing serum or Ultra-Gentle Enzyme Surface Peel, then apply ProgeniDerm again. In just two weeks, you will see a visible difference in your skin tone, color, and texture.

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ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum ...

Stem cells are the building blocks of your skin. They have a unique ability to replace damaged and diseased cells. As they divide, they can proliferate for long periods into millions of new skin cells.

As we age, our stem cells lose their potency. Your skin's ability to repair itself just isn't what it used to be. The result can be fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. But non-embryonic stem cells -- the same stem cells active early in life -- are highly potent. Lifeline stem cell serums tap into the potency of these stem cells to help renew your skin's appearance.

Scientists at Lifeline Skin Care discovered that human non-embryonic stem cell extracts can help fight the look of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. These stem cell extractsare mixed with powerful moisturizers and other carefully selected ingredients to help slow the signs of aging. And Lifeline stem cell serums were born.

Where Stem Cells in Lifeline Products Come From

The first types of human stem cells to be studied by researchers were embryonic stem cells, donated from in vitro fertilization labs. But because creating embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of a fertilized human embryo, many people have ethical concerns about the use of such cells.

Lifeline Skin Care (through its parent company, International Stem Cell Corporation) is the first company in the world to discover how to create human non-embryonic stem cells -- and how to take extracts from them. As a result, you need never be concerned that a viable human embryo was damaged or destroyed to create these extraordinary skin care products.

The non-embryonic stem cells in Lifeline stem cell serums are derived from unfertilized human oocytes (eggs) which are donated to ISCO from in vitro fertilization labs and clinics.

Lifeline Skin Care Stem Cell Serums are Based in Science

Lifeline Skin Care's exclusive skin care products are a combination of several discoveries and unique high-technology, with patent-pending formulations.

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Anti Aging Stem Cell Serums Visibly Renew Skin

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Stem cells in skin care...What does it really mean?

By Jeanette Jacknin M.D.

Dr Jacknin will be speaking about Cosmaceuticals at the upcoming 17th World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine in Orlando, Florida, April 23-25, 2009.

Stem cells have recently become a huge buzzword in the skincare world. But what does this really mean? Skincare specialists are not using embryonic stem cells; it is impossible to incorporate live materials into a skincare product. Instead, companies are creating products with specialized peptides and enzymes or plant stem cells which, when applied topically on the surface, help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin's own stem cells. National Stem Cell was one of the few companies who actually incorporated into their skin care an enzyme secreted from human embryonic stem cells, but they are in the process of switching over to use non-embryonic stem cells from which to take the beneficial enzyme.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it can remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a skin cell. There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.

Embryonic stem cells are exogenous in that they are harvested from outside sources, namely, fertilized human eggs. Once harvested, these pluripotent stem cells are grown in cell cultures and manipulated to generate specific cell types so they can be used to treat injury or disease.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult or multipotent stem cells are endogenous. They are present within our bodies and serve to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. Adult stem cells are found in many organs and tissues, including the skin. In fact, human skin is the largest repository of adult stem cells in the body. Skin stem cells reside in the basal layer of the epidermis where they remain dormant until they are activated by tissue injury or disease. 1

There is controversy surrounding the use of stem cells, as some experts say that any product that claims to affect the growth of stem cells or the replication process is potentially dangerous, as it may lead to out-of-control replication or mutation. Others object to using embryonic stem cells from an ethical point of view. Some researchers believe that the use of stem cell technology for a topical, anti-aging cosmetic trivializes other, more important medical research in this field.

The skin stem cells are found near hair follicles and sweat glands and lie dormant until they "receive" signals from the body to begin the repair mode. In skincare, the use of topical products stimulates the stem cell to split into two types of cells: a new, similar stem cell and a "daughter" cell, which is able to create almost every kind of new cell in a specialized system. This means that the stem cell can receive the message to create proteins, carbohydrates and lipids to help repair fine lines, wrinkles and restore and maintain firmness and elasticity.1

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Hair Loss Forum - Stem cells in skin care products, good ...

Plant and fruit stem cells are in bloom as ingredients du jour in a new generation of anti-aging skin care products.

What exactly are stem cells? Stem cells are in all living things: plants, animals, and humans. Theyre the most basic type of cells, kind of like the raw materials from which all other cells are made. Stem cells are able to develop into many different kinds of cells and are able to divide and regenerate for extended periods of time, making them a potential treasure trove for regenerating the body. In the past decade, human stem cells have been the subject of a lot of debate. But scientists have recently found a way to tap the healing and rejuvenating benefits of stem cells without all the ethical baggage: extract them from plants and fruits.

What can plant stem cells do for skin? Skin cells grow and die at a surprisingly fast rate, turning over about every month. With constant assaults from free radicals, UV rays, environmental toxins, and debased nutrition, every time our skin cells turn over, they run the risk of damage and mutation. Plus, with age, stem cells become depleted and turnover rate slows down. The result? Visible aging, wrinkles, and less-than lustrous skin. Supplying the skin with a fresh batch of stem cells could potentially allow for the creation of new, younger-looking skin. Could scientists have found the fountain of youth?

Do plant stem cells actually work? It depends on whom you ask. Cosmetic companies tout compelling information about plant and fruit stem cells miracles. And some studies, albeit limited, show that plant and fruit stem cells have the ability to stimulate the growth of human stem cells and protect human stem cells from UV damage and oxidative stress that causes aging. In time, the hopeful science of stem cell research may become something tried and true. In the meantime, many of the natural formulas that tout plant and fruit stem cells are also loaded with skin-beneficial ingredients with demonstrated anti-aging effects such as antioxidant vitamin C, collagen-building peptides, and nourishing plant oilsthe whole of which may be more than the sum of their parts.

Check out these plant and fruit stem cell products that can renew and regenerate your skin:

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer contains a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells to repair DNA and encourage new cell growth along with its signature antioxidant-rich fruit juice base, vitamin C, and hydrating plant oils. 1.7 fl oz, $65, juicebeauty.com

La Prairie Cellular Power Infusion is an ultra-deluxe formula infused with Swiss Red Grape stem cells to protect skins own stem cells, Swiss Snow Algae to activate longevity of cells, and an exclusive peptide to renew skin cells. 4 x 0.26 fl oz, $475, shoplaprairie.com

MyChelle Apple Brightening Serum combines PhytoCellTec apple stem cells to regenerate skin, and unique peptides to diminish sunspots as well as aid in UVA and UVB damage recovery. 1 fl oz, $44.30, mychelle.com

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Plant Stem Cells for Beauty | Women's Health Magazine

A Revolutionary Skincare System that Combats the Visible Signs of Aging

The RG-CELL line was developed by a renowned South Korean Master Herbalist, and is the first line of cosmeceuticals to use several naturally occurring, scientifically proven skin cell activating, correcting and reconstructing ingredients together in one range of products. All products in the RG-CELL AGELESS COMPLETE Skin Care Regimen contain EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) or Human Oligopeptide-1 and AFA Algae, a Natural Retinoid Alternative. These high powered ingredients are expertly blended along with scientifically proven botanical and herbal skincare essentials that have been utilized for centuries and have stood the test of time.

Fashioned after the Korean skincare philosophy of nurturing the skin and treating it as a treasured possession, RG-CELL advocates prevention, protection and perfection utilizing the highest quality ingredients we can source from throughout the globe. We formulate these ingredients using Korean medicinal theories and apply them with processes that combine traditional with modern, cutting edge technologies to present a product that enables the skins maximum absorption of the active ingredients.

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Stem Cell Skin Care, Anti-Aging, Facial Cleansers ...

By Jeanette Jacknin M.D.

Dr Jacknin will be speaking about Cosmaceuticals at the upcoming 17th World Congress on Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine in Orlando, Florida, April 23-25, 2009.

Stem cells have recently become a huge buzzword in the skincare world. But what does this really mean? Skincare specialists are not using embryonic stem cells; it is impossible to incorporate live materials into a skincare product. Instead, companies are creating products with specialized peptides and enzymes or plant stem cells which, when applied topically on the surface, help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin's own stem cells. National Stem Cell was one of the few companies who actually incorporated into their skin care an enzyme secreted from human embryonic stem cells, but they are in the process of switching over to use non-embryonic stem cells from which to take the beneficial enzyme.

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it can remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a skin cell. There are two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.

Embryonic stem cells are exogenous in that they are harvested from outside sources, namely, fertilized human eggs. Once harvested, these pluripotent stem cells are grown in cell cultures and manipulated to generate specific cell types so they can be used to treat injury or disease.

Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult or multipotent stem cells are endogenous. They are present within our bodies and serve to maintain and repair the tissues in which they are found. Adult stem cells are found in many organs and tissues, including the skin. In fact, human skin is the largest repository of adult stem cells in the body. Skin stem cells reside in the basal layer of the epidermis where they remain dormant until they are activated by tissue injury or disease. 1

There is controversy surrounding the use of stem cells, as some experts say that any product that claims to affect the growth of stem cells or the replication process is potentially dangerous, as it may lead to out-of-control replication or mutation. Others object to using embryonic stem cells from an ethical point of view. Some researchers believe that the use of stem cell technology for a topical, anti-aging cosmetic trivializes other, more important medical research in this field.

The skin stem cells are found near hair follicles and sweat glands and lie dormant until they "receive" signals from the body to begin the repair mode. In skincare, the use of topical products stimulates the stem cell to split into two types of cells: a new, similar stem cell and a "daughter" cell, which is able to create almost every kind of new cell in a specialized system. This means that the stem cell can receive the message to create proteins, carbohydrates and lipids to help repair fine lines, wrinkles and restore and maintain firmness and elasticity.1

First to the market in Britain in April 2007 and the U.S. was ReVive's Peau Magnifique, priced at a staggering 1,050. Manufacturers claim it uses an enzyme called telomerase to "convert resting adult stem cells to newly-minted skin cells' and 'effectively resets your skin's "ageing clock" by a minimum of five years'. The product claims long-term use 'will result in a generation of new skin cells, firmer skin with a 45 per cent reduction in wrinkles and increased long-term skin clarity'. Peau Magnifique is the latest in a line of products developed by Dr Gregory Bays Brown, a former plastic surgeon.

In the course of his research into healing burns victims, Dr Brown discovered a substance called Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that is released in the body when there is an injury, and, when applied to burns or wounds, dramatically accelerates the healing process. He believed the same molecule could be used to regenerate ageing skin and went on to develop ReVive, a skincare range based around it. 2

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Stem cells in skin care...What does it really mean ...

Cellogica Stem Cell Review Gain A Healthy And Vibrant Looking Skin With Cellogica
Read Terms And Condition First Before Claiming Your Cellogica Stem Cell Risk Free trial: http://skincarebeautyshop.com/ Read More About Cellogica Stem Cell Here: http://skincareinfo4u.com/cellogic.

By: Mil.Inc

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Cellogica Stem Cell Review Gain A Healthy And Vibrant Looking Skin With Cellogica - Video

Cellogica Review Look Younger Than Ever With Cellogica
Read Terms And Condition First Before Claiming Your Cellogica Risk free Trial Here: http://dbbru.voluumtrk.com/d2d68d4c-1cc9-42c1-8428-e0da42f4d959 Read More About Cellogica here: ...

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Stem Cell Therapy Plus is also called Live Cell Therapy or Regenerative Medicine.

Anecdotal evidence shows that through the usage of Stem Cell Therapy Plus, improvements can be seen in the following cases of degenerative diseases:

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Stem cells are cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells.

When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a nerve cell, or a brain cell.

Stem Cell Supplements are developed based on the merits of stem cells and they are applied for degenerative diseases treatments and to stimulate the formation of all the different tissues of the body: muscle, cartilage, tendon, ligament, bone, blood, nerve, organs, etc.

Stem Cell Supplements bring essential anti-ageing, health & beauty benefits by providing necessary elements to the body to improve cellular regeneration, organ rejuvenation and tissue healing.

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Stem Cell Therapy in Switzerland Life Cell Injections ...

Iaso Sol (Swiss Apple Stem Cells
IASO SOL Iaso Sol Day Antioxidant Cream With Apple Stem Cells and Ganoderma. The newest anti-aging technology in skin care. Iaso Sol Daytime Repair Anti-Aging Formula will cast shadows on...

By: Mona Leggett

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Iaso Sol (Swiss Apple Stem Cells - Video

courtesy of Daily Glow

Between anti-aging ingredients that are worshipped (retinol) to the ones that are obscure (bee venom), figuring out which ingredient will kick Father Times ass is enough to give you wrinkles. And now skin-care manufacturers have added another anti-aging contender: stem cells.

Medical researchers have long studied the ability of stem cells, which can regenerate and form almost any cell type in the body, to treat numerous chronic diseases. Now skin-care brands like Lifeline and Origins are hoping that stem cells can deliver the powerful results in the cosmetics industry that they have in medicine. But are they worth the hype? Here are five facts you should know about stem cells before you spend a dime.

1. Skin care contains either plant or human stem cells. In the case of Lifeline, human stem cells are derived from unfertilized eggs (so, youre not putting human embryo on your face).

2. Plant and human cells actually operate in comparable ways. There are similarities in the way stem cells function in both plants and animals to sustain growth and repair tissues, says Jeanette Jacknin, MD, a dermatologist in San Diego and author of Smart Medicine for Your Skin. To perform their functions, stem cells, unlike other cells, are able to produce copies of themselves over long periods of time.

3. Stem cells contain two key components: growth factors, which play a role in cell division, the growth of new cells, and the production of collagen and elastin; and proteins, which regulate that stem-cell division. When applied to your skin, these two components help firm wrinkles and slow the development of new lines.

4. Theres no definitive call on how well plant stem cells work. While theres evidence that human stem cells, when harnessed with growth factors, stimulate epidermal stem cells to thicken the skin, which leads to tightening, theres no scientific evidence that plant-stem-cell growth factors work in the same way, says Ronald L. Moy, MD, cosmetic and plastic surgeon in Los Angeles and former president of the American Academy of Dermatology. After all, how could a plant cell have any effect on human skin? But plant stem cells still have benefits. Products that contain antioxidant-rich fruits or plants as a source still offer free-radical-fighting benefits.

5. The amount of stem cells in the product matters. Dont get suckered into spending a fortune simply because a product says stem-cell derived on the front label. Check the ingredient list on the back label to see how much of the active ingredients are in the product, Dr. Jacknin says. Stem cells should be listed first on the ingredient label; if theyre listed last, that indicates the product contains such a small percentage that the effect is likely to be minimal.

Tell us: Would you try stem cell skin care? Or are you weirded out by it?

xx, The FabFitFun Team

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5 Things You Need to Know About Stem Cells in Skin Care ...

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have transformed skin cells from patients with Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), into brain cells affected by the progressive, fatal disease and deposited those human-made cells into the first public ALS cell library, enabling scientists to better study the disease.

Using a genetic engineering technique that causes adult skin cells to transform into "pluripotent" cells, otherwise known as induced pluripotent stem cells, which can take the form of many different cells found in other parts of the body, "we make brain cells out of the patient's own skin," says Jeffrey Rothstein, M.D., Ph.D., who directs the Brain Science Institute and the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research.

While the technique for creating these human-made cells has been used by other researchers, Rothstein and his colleagues are the first to use these induced pluripotent stem cells to create the largest library of brain cell lines donated voluntarily by more than 20 ALS patients whose disease was caused by various genetic mutations. "These human cellular tools will serve as a platform to understand ALS and someday discover new drugs to treat our patients," says Rothstein, senior author of a study about the work, which was recently published online in PLOS ONE.

More than 30,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS. Men appear to be affected slightly more than women. One of every 500 deaths in men is due to ALS, says Rothstein, "so just about everyone is going to know a neighbor, friend or family member who will eventually succumb to this terrible disease."

There is no known cure for ALS and only one FDA-approved drug, riluzole, which may only add a year to a patient's life span, says Rothstein.

Since the 1990s, researchers have studied the disease and its potential treatments in mice. The mouse model looks very much like what happens in people, Rothstein says, "but after 25 years, it has not led to the development of a drug that works in our patients." A handful of drugs were effective in mice and passed phase II clinical trials, which establish a drug's safe dosage for humans, but they all failed phase III trials, which confirm a drug's effectiveness in people.

"There has to be a sea change in how we approach ALS," Rothstein says.

Because there is no ethical or simple way to obtain brain tissue from living ALS patients, Rothstein and colleagues turned to induced pluripotent stem cell production. The technique gives researchers a tool to look at diseased human brain cells, including specialized nerve cells called astroglia, which play a critical role in ALS progression. Rothstein and his team created 22 patient-specific cell lines that included some common mutations known to be associated with ALS and deposited them in a cell library, to be shared with other scientists.

The library includes cells from patients with inherited ALS, which accounts for about 10 percent of ALS cases. Rothstein and his team also have generated cells from patients with the noninherited form of the disease -- sporadic ALS, which makes up 90 to 95 percent of ALS cases. From one patient, the researchers collected a genetic variant found in both inherited and sporadic forms of the disease, and they added that variant to the library.

Many scientists around the world have already used the library, and Rothstein hopes it will grow, with researchers making deposits of their own patients' cell lines. Eventually, induced pluripotent stem cells may be used to model diseases other than ALS and to test potential drug treatments, says Rothstein, who adds: "Now we have a real model for what's wrong with my patients."

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New tool for understanding ALS: Patients' brain cells

LOS ANGELES (EMBARGOED UNTIL 7 A.M. EDT on APRIL 14, 2015) - An injection of stem cells into the eye may soon slow or reverse the effects of early-stage age-related macular degeneration, according to new research from scientists at Cedars-Sinai. Currently, there is no treatment that slows the progression of the disease, which is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 65.

"This is the first study to show preservation of vision after a single injection of adult-derived human cells into a rat model with age-related macular degeneration," said Shaomei Wang, MD, PhD, lead author of the study published in the journal STEM CELLS and a research scientist in the Eye Program at the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute.

The stem cell injection resulted in 130 days of preserved vision in laboratory rats, which roughly equates to 16 years in humans.

Age-related macular degeneration affects upward of 15 million Americans. It occurs when the small central portion of the retina, known as the macula, deteriorates. The retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back of the eye. Macular degeneration may also be caused by environmental factors, aging and a genetic predisposition.

When animal models with macular degeneration were injected with induced neural progenitor stem cells, which derive from the more commonly known induced pluripotent stem cells, healthy cells began to migrate around the retina and formed a protective layer. This protective layer prevented ongoing degeneration of the vital retinal cells responsible for vision.

Cedars-Sinai researchers in the Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Core, directed by Dhruv Sareen, PhD, with support from the David and Janet Polak Foundation Stem Cell Core Laboratory, first converted adult human skin cells into powerful induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), which can be expanded indefinitely and then made into any cell of the human body. In this study, these induced pluripotent stem cells were then directed toward a neural progenitor cell fate, known as induced neural progenitor stem cells, or iNPCs.

"These induced neural progenitor stem cells are a novel source of adult-derived cells which should have powerful effects on slowing down vision loss associated with macular degeneration," said Clive Svendsen, PhD, director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and contributing author to the study. "Though additional pre-clinical data is needed, our institute is close to a time when we can offer adult stem cells as a promising source for personalized therapies for this and other human diseases."

Next steps include testing the efficacy and safety of the stem cell injection in preclinical animal studies to provide information for applying for an investigational new drug. From there, clinical trials will be designed to test potential benefit in patients with later-stage age-related macular degeneration.

###

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Dhruv Sareen, PhD; Yuchun Tsai, PhD; Bin Lu, MD, PhD; Benjamin Bakondi, PhD; Sergey Girman, PhD; and Anais Sahabian, PhD.

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Stem cell injection may soon reverse vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration