Table 2 Advantages and disadvantages of different stem cells
Stem cell type | Common sources | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
OECs | Olfactory bulb and olfactory mucosa | Self-renewal Induced differentiation into other cell types | Difficult to obtain Have possibility of carrying donor disease genes |
ESCs | The mass of cells in the inner layer of a blastocyst embryo | Self-renewal Potential to differentiate into any type of cells | Have difficulties in inducing differentiation and culture Have risk of inducing tumorigenesis Allogeneic donors face immune rejection and possible hidden genetic defects |
MSCs | Bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta, umbilical cord blood, dental pulp, heart muscle, and liver | Wide sources; Self-renewal Induced differentiation into other types of cells | Have possibility of carrying donor disease genes Allogeneic donors face immune rejection |
iPSCs | Reprogram somatic cells into a pluripotent state | Extracted directly from autogenous tissue Fewer ethical issues and lower rejection | Retained epigenetic characteristics of donor cells Have possibility of carrying donor disease genes |
RPCs | Inner layer of retina of fetuses | Low immunogenicity and tumorigenicity | Limited ability to proliferate and differentiate Lack of sufficient donor cells |
hAESCs | Pluripotent inner cell mass of blastocysts | Good genetic stability; low immunogenicity and tumorigenicity | Have possibility of carrying donor disease genes |