What are Stem Cells? (The Body’s Raw Materials)

Before we dive into how we use stem cells at Meeting Point Health, we have to answer the most fundamental question: What exactly are stem cells? For the purpose of introducing them, let’s devise a generalized scenario. Most cells in your body have a specific, permanent job. A heart cell is a heart cell, and a skin cell is a skin cell. They cannot change careers.

Stem cells are different. They are often referred to as the body’s “master cells,” the raw materials from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. They are unique because of two specific capabilities:

  1. Self-Renewal: They can divide and copy themselves indefinitely.
  2. Differentiation: Under the right conditions, they can transform into specialized cells, such as cartilage, bone, muscle, ligament tissue, and more. 

Think of them as the body’s internal repair kit. When an injury occurs, stem cells are the first responders that move to the site to coordinate the rebuilding of damaged tissue. In this blog, we cover: 

  • The Science: How Do Stem Cells Find Injuries?
  • The Ethics: Where Do Stem Cells Come From? 
  • What Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat? 
  • Has Stem Cell Therapy Been FDA Approved?
  • FAQs About Stem Cell Therapy 

The Science: How Do Stem Cells Find Injuries?

For those that are curious, you may be asking: “If you inject stem cells into my blood or a joint, how do they know where to go?”The answer lies in a fascinating process of cellular communication. Your body has a built-in “distress signal” system that works in three specific steps:

1. The Distress Call (SDF-1)

When a tissue is damaged, whether it’s a torn meniscus or an arthritic hip, the affected cells release a specific chemical “flare” into the bloodstream called SDF-1 (Stromal Derived Factor 1). This is the body’s way of shouting for help in a specific area. 

2. The First Responders

Stem cells, primarily residing in your bone marrow, have specialized receptors on their surface that act like an antenna. As soon as they detect the SDF-1 flare in the blood, the stem cells release from their home and enter the circulation.

3. Homing and Migration (The GPS)

Stem cells are smart; they don’t just float aimlessly. They follow the concentration of the chemical signal, much like following the scent of food, until they reach the exact site of the injury. This process is referred to as “homing.” Once they arrive, they:

  • Multiply to create thousands of new cells to start the repair.
  • Stop in the nearby blood vessels.
  • Migrate directly into the damaged tissue.

Why Does This Matter for Your Stem Cell Treatment?

Understanding this “GPS” system is why we can use stem cells so effectively. By introducing a high concentration of these stem cells directly into an injured area, we are essentially saturating the site with repair workers, bypassing the wait time it takes for your body to send them naturally from your bone marrow. 

Why not just let the body heal itself? While our bodies are designed to self-repair, two things often stand in the way: time and age. As we get older, our natural reservoir of stem cells (our ‘first responders’) begins to dry up, a process scientists call Stem Cell Exhaustion. 

Furthermore, in chronic injuries like arthritis, the distress signal that calls for help can become too faint for the body to hear. By performing a direct injection, we aren’t just waiting for help that may or may not arrive. We are delivering a high-concentration of repair cells directly to the site, providing 200–500 times the healing power your body could muster on its own.Tip: If you’re curious about stem cell activation, read our post: How to Activate Stem Cells Naturally where Mary Anne Matta shares an in-depth guide.

The Ethics: Where Do Stem Cells Come From?

When considering stem cell therapy, one of the most important distinctions to understand is autologous vs. allogeneic sources. Essentially, this is the difference between using your own “retired” cells or “donated” younger cells.

Autologous (Self-Sourced)

“Auto” means self. These cells are harvested directly from your own body, typically from your bone marrow or fat tissue.

  • The Con: As we discussed with Stem Cell Exhaustion, your own stem cells age with you. They may be fewer in number and less motivated when it comes to repairing tissue.

Allogeneic (Donor-Sourced)

“Allo” means other. At Meeting Point Health, we prefer to use allogeneic sources derived from donated birth tissue (such as umbilical cord products, amniotic fluid, and placental tissue) from healthy, live births. They are ethically sourced with full consent. We do not, under any circumstances, use embryonic stem cell fluid. 

Why we prefer Allogeneic sources at Meeting Point Health:

  1. Age & Vitality: These donor cells are “Day 0” cells. They haven’t been exposed to years of environmental toxins, stress, or the natural aging process.
  2. Higher Pleiotropy: This is a scientific way of saying these cells are more versatile. They have a much higher likelihood of successfully differentiating into the new bone, cartilage, or muscle cells your body needs.
  3. Ethical Sourcing: It is important to note that these tissues are donated by healthy mothers after successful, live births. These are tissues that would otherwise be discarded as medical waste but are instead screened and processed to provide life-changing healing.

What Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat?

At Meeting Point Health, we use stem cell therapy to address a broad spectrum of chronic and acute musculoskeletal issues. Because these “master cells” can rebuild various types of tissue, they are effective for:

  • Degenerative Joint Conditions: Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder), Degenerative Disc Disease, and Osteonecrosis.
  • Soft Tissue & Sports Injuries: Meniscal tears, labral tears, and ligament strains.
  • Chronic Tendon Pain: Tendinopathies (tennis elbow, Achilles issues, or rotator cuff pain).
  • Complex Healing: Non-union fractures (bones that have failed to heal on their own).

Has Stem Cell Therapy Been FDA Approved? Is it Safe?

Your safety is our priority. ​​While the FDA considers these procedures “investigational,” the labs we partner with are strictly FDA-cleared for tissue processing. 

  • Rigorous Screening: Donors undergo comprehensive infectious disease testing.
  • Batch Testing: A percentage of every batch is sampled for purity and viability before release.
  • Zero “Graft vs. Host” Issues: Because these tissues are immunoprivileged, they do not trigger the same rejection issues that may be seen in organ transplants. This is one of the many reasons why stem cells are coined as having a high clinical safety profile.

Ready to Experience Regenerative Healing with Stem Cell Therapy?

Our goal is to ensure you receive the treatment that offers the highest likelihood of success. Let’s find out together if your condition is a match for this technology. Schedule your call with one of our patient coordinators today and set up a consultation with our expert, Dr. Stephen Matta in Philadelphia. 

FAQs About Stem Cell Therapy:
  • Are there specific numbers of cells necessary to treat different conditions? Yes, there are recommended cell counts for treating various conditions. Our expert, Dr. Matta, will tailor it to your needs.
  • What activity level can I have after a stem cell injection? It’s advised not to increase activity level beyond pre-injection levels for three months to allow the cells to modulate inflammation and stimulate regeneration.
  • Is it normal to have an inflammatory response after the injection? Yes, it’s common and indicates the cells are working.
  • How much does stem cell therapy cost? Stem cell IV therapy starts at $2,000, and stem cell injections start at approximately $3,500. 
  • Will umbilical cord stem cells cause a graft vs. host reaction? No, studies support that umbilical cord stem cells do not cause a GVH response. 
  • Are umbilical cord cells the same as amniotic fluid? No, umbilical cord cells contain live nucleated cells, while amniotic fluid must be processed and doesn’t contain live cells.
  • Is DNA testing necessary? No, the cells do not penetrate the nucleus of recipient cells, so DNA testing isn’t necessary.

References
  • Everts, P., et al. (2020). “A Comparative Quantification in Cellularity of Bone Marrow Aspirated with two New Harvesting Devices.” Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
  • López-Otín, C., et al. (2013). “The Hallmarks of Aging.” Cell, 153(6), 1194-1217.
  • Oliva, A. A., McClain-Moss, L., Pena, A., Drouillard, A., & Hare, J. M. (2019). Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy: A regenerative medicine approach to geroscience. Aging medicine (Milton (N.S.W)), 2(3), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.1002/agm2.12079

Written by Amanda Bates, RN and medically reviewed by Dr. Stephen Matta on 1/6/25.