Stempeutics Research Pvt Ltd in association with Manipal Hospital will offer stem cell therapy on an experimental basis to Vitiligo cases. A team of researchers at Stempeutics has found that Mesenchymal stem cell therapy could well be the answer to those suffering from this skin disease.

"Vitiligo affects one per cent of the global population. It causes disfigurement that results in depression in patients because of the social stigma attached to it", informed Dr Krupa Shanker, HOD, Dept of Dermatology, Manipal Hospital.

Depending on the spread of lesions, Vitiligo can be classified as stable or unstable. The normal brown or black colour of the skin is produced by cells called melanocytes, found at the lowest layer of epidermis. In Vitiligo, there is destruction or inactivation of melanocytes, the colour producing cells of the skin. It is an autoimmune disease which means the body's own immune system is damaging the melanocytes. Vitiligo is associated with other autoimmune diseases like diabetes and thyroid problems.

"The newer therapies for Vitiligo are aimed at correcting misbehaviour by the WBCs. Mesenchymal Stem cells are a specific type of stem cells found in the bone marrow which have immunomodulatory properties, making them useful in treating autoimmune disorders by cell therapy, stated Dr Satish Totey, chief scientific officer, Stempeutics Research, Pvt. Ltd.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are present as a rare population of cells in bone marrow, but they can rapidly grow in culture without loosing their stemness. Human mesenchymal stem cells can be multiplied and expanded in a laboratory >=1 million -fold.

The hMSC are ideal candidates for cell therapy because of its attributes that include Ease of isolation, high expansion potential, Genetic stability, Reproducible attributes from isolate to isolate, reproducible characteristics, compatibility with tissue engineering principles and potential to enhance repair in many vital tissues.

Our researchers have found that stem cell therapy might be effective in ameliorating the basic pathology of Vitiligo. Inhibition of the autoimmune processes can prevent further spread of lesions and thus stabilize Vitiligo, paving the way for the use of other established therapies, stated Dr Totey.

Stempeutics Research is a leading stem cell company in India, focusing on Research, Therapeutics and Therapy in the field of regenerative medicine. The company made a strategic move to operate out of its facilities in Manipal and Malaysia. It is the first international company to be awarded with Bio Nexus status in Malaysia by Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation.

Research at Stempeutics operations are within four major categories of Adult mesenchymal stem cells derived from a variety of sources. In vitro differentiation of Adult bone marrow stem cells in to various cell types, establishing different Embryonic stem cell lines and Stem Cells isolation and up scaling process. The ongoing stem cell research focuses on some key therapeutic areas like cardio-vascular, central nervous system, orthopaedics, dermatology, paediatrics, endocrinology, gastroenterology, oncology and immunology.