Inside some large bones is a soft, sponge-like tissue called bone marrow. Bone marrow is important to the body as it contains cells that make up the immune system as well as stem cells that produce blood cells. Stem cells in the bone marrow mature into a variety of types of cells, each of which has specific vital functions that benefit the body. There are two types of bone marrow – red bone marrow and yellow bone marrow.
Distinguishing the Two Types of Bone Marrow
Red Bone Marrow
Red blood cells are present in the medullary cavity of the body’s flat bones like the pelvic girdle and sternum. It contains hematopoietic stem cells which are responsible for forming blood cells. Hematopoietic stem cells can turn into three types of blood cells. Each type has important functions that keep the body alive and healthy. The three types of blood cells formed in the stem cells found in the red bone marrow include:
· Red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
· White blood cells responsible for fighting off infection.
· Platelets that help prevent excessive bleeding by aiding the blood in clotting following an injury.
Yellow Bone Marrow
Bone marrow also contains yellow bone marrow which is named because of its color caused by a high concentration of fat cells. Yellow bone marrow is surrounded by a layer of red bone marrow, and it can be found in the medullary cavity of long bones. The yellow bone marrow contains marrow stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells. They help produce fat, bone, and cartilage. Yellow bone marrow is useful for helping store fat in cells called adipocytes. This action helps to maintain the right environment so that bones have the sustenance they need to function properly.
Function of Bone Marrow
Simply put, bone marrow’s function is to produce a variety of cells that are essential for sustaining life. Some conditions affect the health of the bone marrow. This can impair its ability to produce an adequate number of healthy cells. Bone marrow transplants administer healthy bone marrow through a central line for patients in need of them. There are several things a bone marrow transplant can help with including:
· Healthy bone marrow can replace damaged or nonfunctioning bone marrow.
· A bone marrow transplant can help restore the bone’s natural function after it’s been damaged due to treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.
· It can prevent further damage caused by some genetic diseases.
· Healthy bone marrow helps regenerate the immune system and helps fight off residual or existing cancers like Leukemia.
How Bone Marrow Samples are Used
One of the leading reasons for the need for frozen bone marrow samples is scientific research. There are numerous clinical trials being conducted around the world that are studying and assessing the benefits of using bone marrow for treating a variety of conditions and disorders including:
· Cancers and tumors including lymphomas and Leukemias
· Heart disease including CAD (coronary artery disease), heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and acute myocardial infarction
· Organ failure including COPD, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, Cirrhosis, lupus, and chronic renal failure
· Muscle-skeletal disorders including osteoarthritis, myopathies, scleroderma, and fractures
· Peripheral vascular disease including poor circulation, gangrene, and non-healing wounds
You’ll find our biorepository carries a variety of frozen cells and bone marrow samples for use in single-cell analysis, genetics research, toxicology, treatment research, and much more.
