Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Make it Lady on 25/05/2009 22:27:43

Title: Bone repairs using stem cell. How does it stop?
Post by: Make it Lady on 25/05/2009 22:27:43
I just watched a report on the news about repairing large bone breaks using stem cells. This would mean that metal would not have to be used to help fill the larger breaks. What I don't understand is that if you implant these cells into a break that are fired up to make more bone, how do you tell them to stop?
Title: Bone repairs using stem cell. How does it stop?
Post by: Bored chemist on 26/05/2009 10:54:10
I think the simple answer is "the same as last time". They stop when the bone is finished just as they did when the bone first grew, and continued to grow through childhood then stopped as an adult.

That, unfortunately, leaves the other question; how do the bits of the body grow to the right size then stop?
I'm afraid I have no real idea what the answer to that is but I'm sure someone does and I hope they let us both know.
Title: Bone repairs using stem cell. How does it stop?
Post by: Make it Lady on 26/05/2009 17:28:50
Thanks for that. I guess there must be an off switch but I would still like to know how it knows. It must be in the bodies blue print but I still can't get my head around it.
Title: Bone repairs using stem cell. How does it stop?
Post by: JnA on 27/05/2009 04:34:19
Maybe the cytokines play a role.

"Cytokines (Greek cyto-, cell; and -kinos, movement) are a category of signaling molecules that are used extensively in cellular communication. They are proteins, peptides, or glycoproteins. The term cytokine encompasses a large and diverse family of polypeptide regulators that are produced widely throughout the body by cells of diverse embryological origin.[1]"