The study of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Stem Cells and its various types have been at the forefront of medical advances in recent years. For instance, a US patient afflicted with leukemia recently became the first woman and the third person in the world to be cleared of HIV following a stem cell transplant from a naturally resistant donor. Below, we delve further into metrics surrounding HIV prevalence, the functionality of stem cells, and their implications for disease treatment.
Understanding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is a virus that compromises the body’s immune system by targeting CD4, a type of White Blood Cell (T cells). These T cells identify abnormalities and infections in the body. Upon infection, HIV multiplies and eradicates CD4 cells, thereby severely harming the body’s immunity. With an average CD4 count ranging between 500-1600 in a healthy body, the count can plummet to as low as 200 in an HIV-infected person.
HIV/AIDS Prevalence in India
According to the India HIV Estimation 2019 report, adult HIV prevalence has shown a declining trend since peaking in 2000 and has stabilized recently. The 2019 data showed a 0.24% HIV prevalence among adult males and 0.20% among adult females, with approximately 23.48 lakh Indians living with HIV. Maharashtra reported the highest numbers, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Understanding Stem Cells
Stem cells are exceptional cells capable of self-replication and transformation into various cell types required by the body. They divide repeatedly to produce new cells and can morph into different cell types. Stem cells exist in several forms and are found in diverse parts of the body at distinct times. However, diseases like cancer and their subsequent treatments can damage hematopoietic stem cells – a type of stem cell that evolves into blood cells.
The Utility of Stem Cells
Stem cells play an integral part in scientific research, helping to understand basic biology and the processes that occur within different types of cells during diseases. They also have therapeutic applications in replacing lost or damaged cells, which the body cannot naturally replenish.
Types of Stem Cells
There are three main types of stem cells:
– Embryonic Stem Cells: These cells generate new cells for an embryo as it grows into a baby. They are pluripotent, meaning they can transform into any body cell.
– Adult Stem Cells: These cells produce new cells as an organism grows and replace damaged cells. They are multipotent, meaning they can only change into certain cells, not any cell. For example, Blood (or ‘haematopoietic’) stem cells can replace the various types of cells in the blood.
– Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: These lab-made cells are derived from adult cells, like skin or blood cells, and are reprogrammed to function as stem cells. They are pluripotent, meaning they can develop into any cell type.
Understanding Stem Cell Transplants
A bone marrow transplant, also known as a stem cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant, is a medical procedure that substitutes the patient’s bone marrow with healthy cells. The replacement cells can be procured from the patient’s own body or a donor. This process is primarily used to treat specific cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and other blood and immune system diseases that impact the bone marrow.
