Stem Cells (MSC)

Stem cells(MSC) are a type of primitive cell with the capacity for self-replication and multi-directional differentiation potential, hailed as "seed cells" or "universal cells", with the potential to regenerate various tissues and organs. The human body is composed of roughly 40 to 60 trillion cells with different physiological characteristics; they constantly age and die while also being repaired and regenerated. Cells with this special regenerative function are called "stem cells".

Stem cell therapymeans extracting a small amount of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells from the patient, isolating and culturing them at a professional cell processing facility (CPC), expanding them to a certain quantity and then reinfusing them into the patient. Treatment carried out through the unique functions of stem cells — self-repair, multi-directional differentiation and the homing effect — is what we call "stem cell therapy".

iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells)

Source:Through gene reprogramming technology, adult cells (such as skin cells) are reverted into stem cells with the same function as embryonic stem cells.
Characteristics:They have differentiation capacity similar to embryonic stem cells, but carry a risk of differentiating into non-target cells or potential tumorigenicity.

Sources of Stem Cells

Stem cells exist not only in embryos but also in the adult body. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are an important member of the stem cell family, belonging to adult stem cells, and are widely present in many human tissues. Their main sources include:

Mechanism of Action of Stem Cells

The Stem Cell Therapy Process

Characteristics of Stem Cells

The two major characteristics of stem cells: Self-replication capacity and multi-directional differentiation capacity

Stem cells can divide repeatedly to form cells completely identical in appearance and capability to themselves.

Stem cells can change into various tissue cells of the body as needed.

Classification of Stem Cells

By developmental stage or differentiation potential, stem cells are classified into embryonic stem cells (ES cells), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and adult stem cells.

The Homing Effect of Stem Cells

Indications and Expected Results

Frequently Asked Questions

How safe is stem cell therapy?
1. As the only country in the world to legislate regenerative medicine, Japan provides strict legal safeguards for stem cell therapy. Professional medical clinics must be approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and hold the appropriate qualifications to practise stem cell therapy, so safety is assured.
2. Japan permits only stem cell therapy that uses the patient's own fat, cultured and expanded before being reinfused into the same person (the use of allogeneic stem cells is prohibited), so there is no need to worry about immune rejection. Of course, the scale and standard of medical institutions vary, so it is essential to choose a stem cell clinic with a high professional standard and capable physicians.

Does stem cell therapy have side effects?
There may be slight pain or swelling at the injection site, along with mild fever or an allergic reaction, but this gradually eases or disappears naturally within a few hours to two or three days. Where necessary the clinic will provide oral medication to relieve these discomforts.

Is stem cell therapy a cure-all?
Stem cell therapy is not a cure-all, but varying degrees of therapeutic effect can be felt.
In addition, there is no guarantee that a single treatment will achieve a cure; stem cell therapy requires multiple treatments to accumulate before more pronounced results appear.

Roughly how many stem cells are administered per session?
The number varies according to the treatment programme and the site of administration. Although there is some individual variation, the intravenous reinfusion volume is generally 100 million to 250 million cells per session (except in special cases), while the amount used for local injection is smaller.

How much autologous fat is collected, and is it painful?

About 5 g to 20 g of fat is collected at a time (depending on the number of reinfusions).
Using minimally invasive surgery, a small incision of around 5 mm is made in the abdomen to extract the fat tissue. Because local anaesthesia is used, almost no pain is felt during the liposuction.

How long does it take from fat collection to cell reinfusion?

There is individual variation in stem cell reinfusion; typically 4 to 6 weeks of culture and expansion are required, after which the freshest cells are reinfused into the body.
It should be emphasised that once the reinfusion date is set, it cannot be changed.

How often are stem cells administered?

1. For patients undergoing treatment for chronic disease, depending on the severity, one course of 3 to 5 reinfusions is recommended, with intervals of 1 to 3 months between reinfusions; ultimately, however, this should follow the doctor's instructions for the course.
2. For those seeking cosmetic anti-ageing or wishing to boost immunity, stem cells can be reinfused once every six months; where conditions allow, multiple reinfusions per year are also possible.

Is there a risk of blood vessel blockage (i.e. pulmonary embolism) during the stem cell reinfusion drip?
Injecting a large quantity of stem cells at once may carry a potential risk of vessel blockage, especially where vessels are narrowed, but if the number and speed of injected cells are properly controlled, it will generally not cause vessel blockage, i.e. pulmonary embolism.