Urine Derived Stem Cells

Stem Plus is the world's first private bank to store urine derived stem cells

Urine Derrived Stem Cells

Our ancestors knew the therapeutic properties of urine and used it as a part of ayurvedic treatment. With ever advancing research and technology, new avenues of obtaining stem cells are being discovered. Apart from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow; stem cells can now also be obtained from urine. Lang R, Liu G, Shi Y, Bhardwaj S and others were the first to isolate stem cells from urine. These urine derived stem cells are of endothelial and mesenchymal lineage and hence have the capacity to differentiate into cartilage, osteocytes, muscle cells or myosites, urothelial cells, etc. These "exfoliated renal epithelial cells" can now be used to obtain stem cells from urine which is basically a biological waste.

Cells isolated from urine has progenitor cell features and the potential to differentiate into several bladder cell lineages, hence urine derived cells can be used for diseases of cartilage and could serve as an alternative cell source for urinary tract tissue engineering and reconstruction which can be used to treat many urological diseases like kidney failures, urinary incontinence, nephropathies, diseases of bones and muscles, etc.

COLLECTION

Collecting urine sample for isolation of stem cells is very easy and can be done by the individual himself. Once the person is enrolled, a collection kit is provided to the person. The kit contains a sterile bag in which the person collects 24 hours urine sample, a thermocol box and the instructions about collection of sample in a sterile manner. The sample is then transported to the laboratory for processing.

PROCESSING

The urine sample is centrifuged and stem cells are isolated by a standard procedure developed at Stem Plus.

BANKING

The stem cells thus obtained are stored at -196°C in liquid nitrogen. These cells can be preserved for years without deterioration and can be used as and when required. Since, nitrogen is at -196°C in liquid phase, preservation is not dependent on electricity supply for cooling purpose and thus, deterioration due to power failure does not take place.