"Mesenchymal stem cells" is a mouthful, and it is the term behind most of what people mean by stem cell therapy in a wellness setting. Often you will see it shortened to MSCs. This article explains what they are, where they come from, what sets them apart from other stem cells, and how GIOSTAR uses them.
What mesenchymal stem cells are
Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells. Like all stem cells, they can make copies of themselves. They can also develop into several kinds of connective tissue cells, including bone, cartilage and fat cells, when grown under the right conditions in a lab.
The name comes from mesenchyme, the connective tissue the cells were first described in. It is a point of vocabulary only. The MSCs GIOSTAR uses involve no embryos.
For the full background on stem cells in general, read what stem cells are.
How researchers identify them
Scientists agree on a short checklist for calling a cell an MSC. The International Society for Cellular Therapy set minimal criteria in 2006, and labs still use them.
- They stick to plastic. Grown in a lab dish, MSCs attach to the plastic surface.
- They carry certain surface markers. Typically CD73, CD90 and CD105 are present, while markers of blood cells are absent.
- They can become bone, cartilage and fat cells in the dish under the right conditions.
That checklist is why a Certificate of Analysis matters when you ask a provider about their cells. It is the paperwork that shows what a lot is.
Where mesenchymal stem cells come from
MSCs can be collected from several tissues.
- Bone marrow. The spongy center of bone, collected with a needle, usually into the hip.
- Fat tissue. Collected in a small liposuction procedure.
- Donated tissue. Tissue donated after healthy, full-term births, with the mother's consent.
The first two are your own cells, which means a harvest procedure before treatment and a second site to look after. The third is a donor source, which skips the harvest.
GIOSTAR uses ethically sourced mesenchymal stem cells from screened donors. They come from tissue donated after healthy, full-term births, with the mother's consent. We use no embryos, and no harm comes to mother or baby. Every donor is screened and tested before any tissue goes into use, and each lot comes with a Certificate of Analysis and full traceability. See where stem cells come from and donor screening for more.
What makes them different from other stem cells
Two kinds of stem cells come up often in this conversation.
| Type | Where it comes from | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Blood-forming stem cells | Bone marrow or blood | Hospital bone marrow transplants since the late 1960s |
| Mesenchymal stem cells | Bone marrow, fat or donated tissue | Regenerative medicine |
MSCs sit in the second row. They are adult stem cells, they involve no embryos, and they are the kind regenerative wellness centers use.
How mesenchymal stem cells signal
A lot of the interest in MSCs comes from what they release. MSCs release signaling molecules, and the cells around them respond to those signals. Researchers describe MSCs as messengers in tissue. They also release exosomes, tiny particles that carry signals from cell to cell. If that term is new, read what exosome therapy is.
Where the cells are placed matters, since signals travel to nearby cells. That is part of why GIOSTAR offers both injection into a treatment area and IV into the bloodstream.
How GIOSTAR gives mesenchymal stem cells
At our Henderson wellness center, the path has five steps.
- Free consultation with our patient team, online, by phone or in person, with no obligation.
- Meet your nurse practitioner. An in-person visit to review your goals and history, confirm whether you are a candidate, and set your total.
- Treatment day. By injection or IV, 1 to 2 hours, home the same day.
- Aftercare. Written instructions and our phone number.
- Follow-up. Check-ins at 2 weeks and every 3 months.
There is no surgery, no incision and no general anesthesia. On IV plans, we add a small draw of your own blood to the cells shortly before your IV starts. See how stem cell therapy works for each step in detail.
Questions to ask about any provider's MSCs
- Are the cells my own or from donors?
- How are donors screened and tested?
- Does each lot come with a Certificate of Analysis?
- Is each lot traceable back to its source?
- Does the plan include a harvest procedure?
- Who gives the treatment?
A provider who can answer these without hedging has the paperwork to back the answers.
Who to talk to about whether MSCs fit you
That question is about your own health, so your nurse practitioner answers it at your visit, after reviewing your full history, every medication and supplement you take, and any allergies. If a simpler option suits you better, our team tells you at your consultation.
Mesenchymal stem cells at GIOSTAR in Henderson
GIOSTAR stands for Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research. Founded by Dr. Anand Srivastava, GIOSTAR International is part of a network across three countries, and our Henderson wellness center at 2482 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy, Ste 100, is now open. Dr. Ryan Peterson, our Medical Director, oversees care. Start with a free consultation at 702.703.5393, or learn more about stem cell therapy at GIOSTAR.
