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Stem cell, peptide and exosome terms explained
A patient-friendly reference for the medical, biological and regulatory terms used in our consultations and treatment plans. Each term links to related concepts and, where applicable, to the service or condition page where we apply it.
69 terms
Two FDA pathways for human cell and tissue products. Section 361 covers minimally manipulated HCT/Ps for homologous use (e.g., tendon allografts) and requires no IND. Section 351 covers more-than-minimally manipulated products (most cultured stem-cell products) and requires full BLA approval.
Related terms: FDA (Food and Drug Administration), HCT/P (Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products)
Also known as: AD-MSC, adipose MSC
A mesenchymal stem cell isolated from a patient's own fat tissue via mini-liposuction. AD-MSCs are autologous, easy to harvest in clinic, and used for orthopedic and aesthetic applications. They share most surface markers with bone-marrow MSCs but are typically more abundant.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Autologous, Bone marrow aspirate concentrate
At Regeneris: Used in our joint and aesthetic protocols
A treatment using cells or tissues from a different donor of the same species (e.g., umbilical-cord stem cells from a screened, unrelated donor). Allogeneic MSCs avoid the need to harvest cells from the patient and allow standardized dosing from a certified cell bank.
Related terms: Autologous, Umbilical cord stem cell, Donor screening
Also known as: Male/female pattern hair loss
The most common form of hair loss, driven by genetic sensitivity of scalp follicles to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It causes progressive miniaturization of follicles and thinning at the crown and temples. PRP, exosomes and microneedling protocols can support follicle health when started early.
Related terms: Platelet-rich plasma, Exosomes, Microneedling
At Regeneris: See our hair restoration program
A condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Over 80 distinct autoimmune disorders are recognized — including lupus, MS, Hashimoto's and rheumatoid arthritis. MSC therapy is studied as supportive immunomodulatory care alongside conventional treatment.
Related terms: Immunomodulation, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, T-regulatory cells
At Regeneris: Autoimmune cluster page
A treatment that uses the patient's own cells or tissues — collected, processed and re-administered to the same person. Examples include PRP and bone-marrow or adipose-derived stem-cell preparations. Autologous therapies have no donor-rejection risk but yield variable cell quality with age.
Related terms: Allogeneic, Platelet-rich plasma, Bone marrow aspirate concentrate, Adipose-derived stem cell
Also known as: COFEPRIS health notice
The mandatory health-notice registration that every Mexican clinic must file with COFEPRIS to operate legally. Regeneris Therapy holds its own aviso de funcionamiento and a separate aviso de publicidad for advertising medical services.
Related terms: COFEPRIS
Also known as: BMAC
Autologous biologic produced by aspirating marrow from the iliac crest and concentrating it through centrifugation. BMAC contains hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, platelets and growth factors, and is used in orthopedic injections.
Related terms: Autologous, Hematopoietic stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cell, Joint infiltration
Also known as: Mexican medical license number
The professional licence number issued by Mexico's Secretaria de Educacion Publica (SEP) that legally authorizes a physician to practice. Every treating doctor at Regeneris Therapy carries a verifiable cedula listed on their team profile.
Related terms: COFEPRIS
At Regeneris: Meet our team
An irreversible cell-cycle arrest triggered by DNA damage, telomere shortening or oncogene activation. Senescent cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active and secrete a pro-inflammatory cocktail (the SASP) that drives tissue aging. Accumulation contributes to age-related disease.
Also known as: Comision Federal para la Proteccion contra Riesgos Sanitarios
Mexico's federal health authority, equivalent in scope to the US FDA. COFEPRIS licenses clinics, regulates cell banks, and approves clinical protocols for regenerative medicine. Regeneris operates under a COFEPRIS aviso de funcionamiento.
Related terms: Aviso sanitario, FDA (Food and Drug Administration), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
At Regeneris: How COFEPRIS regulates stem cells in Mexico
A small signaling protein released by immune and other cells that modulates inflammation, repair and intercellular communication. Examples include TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10. MSCs work in part by re-balancing the cytokine milieu of inflamed tissue.
Related terms: Paracrine signaling, Immunomodulation, Growth factor
The process by which a non-specialized stem cell turns into a specialized cell type (bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, neuron, etc.). Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent — they can differentiate into several connective-tissue lineages but not every cell type in the body.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Embryonic stem cell, Induced pluripotent stem cell
Also known as: Herniated disc, slipped disc
A condition in which the inner gel-like nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in the outer annulus, often compressing a nerve root and producing radiating leg or arm pain. Lumbar discs L4-L5 and L5-S1 are most commonly affected.
Related terms: Pfirrmann grade, Intradiscal injection
At Regeneris: Stem cells for lumbar disc disease
The mandatory medical, behavioral and laboratory testing applied to every umbilical-cord or tissue donor before their material can enter a certified cell bank. Screening covers HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, syphilis, CMV and other transmissible pathogens.
Related terms: COFEPRIS, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), Umbilical cord stem cell
A 0-10 clinical scale used in multiple sclerosis to quantify disability across eight functional systems (pyramidal, cerebellar, sensory, etc.). Scores under 4 indicate fully ambulatory disability; 6 requires unilateral assistance; 10 is death due to MS.
Related terms: Multiple sclerosis
Also known as: ESC
A pluripotent stem cell derived from the inner cell mass of a 5-7 day-old blastocyst. ESCs can in principle generate every cell type in the body, but their clinical use is limited by ethical considerations and tumor-formation risk. Regeneris Therapy does NOT use embryonic cells.
Related terms: Induced pluripotent stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cell, Differentiation
The process by which infused or implanted cells survive, migrate to a target tissue and begin contributing to its function. For most MSC therapies, durable engraftment is uncommon — the benefit is driven by short-term paracrine signaling rather than long-term integration.
Related terms: Paracrine signaling, Mesenchymal stem cell
Also known as: ED, impotence
Persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. Most cases are vasculogenic — driven by impaired penile blood flow — and respond to PDE5 inhibitors. Local PRP or stem-cell therapy is studied for refractory vasculogenic ED.
Related terms: IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function), Platelet-rich plasma
At Regeneris: Sexual wellness program
Also known as: Small extracellular vesicles
Nano-sized lipid-bilayer vesicles (30-150 nm) released by cells (including MSCs) that carry proteins, microRNAs and signaling lipids. Exosomes mediate intercellular communication and reproduce many of the regenerative effects of their parent cells without administering whole cells.
Related terms: Extracellular vesicle, miRNA (microRNA), Paracrine signaling, Platelet-rich plasma
At Regeneris: Exosome therapy at Regeneris
Also known as: EV
An umbrella term for membrane-bound particles released by cells, including exosomes (30-150 nm), microvesicles (100-1000 nm) and apoptotic bodies (>1 micron). EVs carry molecular cargo between cells and are a major mechanism of MSC paracrine action.
Related terms: Exosomes, Paracrine signaling, miRNA (microRNA)
The US federal agency that regulates drugs, biologics and medical devices. The FDA classifies most MSC products as investigational biologics requiring an IND (Investigational New Drug) application — which is why allogeneic stem-cell therapy is largely unavailable commercially in the US.
Related terms: COFEPRIS, HCT/P (Human Cells, Tissues, and Cellular and Tissue-Based Products), 361 vs 351 regulation
A chronic syndrome of widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disruption and cognitive symptoms (brain fog), driven by central sensitization of pain processing. Diagnosis is clinical; women are affected ~7x more than men. MSC therapy is studied as supportive immunomodulatory care.
Related terms: FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), Immunomodulation
At Regeneris: Fibromyalgia treatment page
A 20-item patient-reported outcome measure that quantifies fibromyalgia's impact on daily function, work, pain, fatigue, sleep and mood. Total scores range 0-100; higher scores reflect greater impact. Used to track treatment response.
Related terms: Fibromyalgia
A laboratory technique that uses lasers to characterize cell populations one cell at a time, measuring size, granularity and surface-marker expression. It is the gold-standard quality test used by certified cell banks to confirm MSC identity (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD34-, CD45-).
Related terms: Viability test, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), Mesenchymal stem cell
Real-time X-ray imaging used to guide needle placement for spinal injections, joint procedures and intradiscal applications. Fluoroscopic guidance is the standard of care for epidural, facet-joint and intradiscal stem-cell or PRP injections.
Related terms: Ultrasound-guided injection, Intradiscal injection, Joint infiltration
An international quality framework that governs the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and biologics — including cell-therapy products. GMP-certified cell banks operate under documented standard procedures, controlled environments, batch records and external audits.
Related terms: COFEPRIS, Donor screening, Viability test
A signaling protein that stimulates cellular growth, proliferation and differentiation. Examples include PDGF, VEGF, IGF-1 and TGF-beta. PRP and MSC products contain hundreds of growth factors that drive much of their regenerative effect.
Related terms: Platelet-rich plasma, Paracrine signaling, Cytokine
Also known as: Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis
An autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to progressive hypothyroidism and elevated anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies. Standard care is levothyroxine replacement; MSC therapy is studied as adjunctive immunomodulation.
Related terms: Autoimmune disease, Immunomodulation
At Regeneris: Hashimoto's treatment page
The FDA category covering all products containing or derived from human cells or tissues, including stem cells, exosomes and tissue allografts. HCT/Ps are regulated under either 21 CFR 1271 Section 361 (minimally manipulated, low risk) or Section 351 (more-than-minimal manipulation, requires IND).
Related terms: FDA (Food and Drug Administration), 361 vs 351 regulation
Also known as: HSC
A stem cell residing primarily in bone marrow that gives rise to all blood-cell lineages — red cells, white cells and platelets. HSC transplants treat leukemia, lymphoma and certain immunodeficiencies. HSCs are distinct from mesenchymal stem cells.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Bone marrow aspirate concentrate, Differentiation
Also known as: International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision
The WHO-maintained coding system used worldwide to classify diseases and conditions. Each diagnosis has a unique alphanumeric code (e.g., M17.0 for primary osteoarthritis of both knees). Used for medical records, insurance claims and statistical reporting.
A 5-question validated questionnaire that screens for and grades erectile dysfunction severity. Scores: 22-25 normal, 17-21 mild ED, 12-16 mild-moderate, 8-11 moderate, 5-7 severe. Used to track response to ED treatments.
Related terms: Erectile dysfunction
The capacity of a substance or cell to re-balance — not suppress — an immune response. MSCs are powerful immunomodulators: they promote regulatory T cells, dampen pro-inflammatory cytokines and shift macrophages toward a reparative M2 phenotype.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, T-regulatory cells, Cytokine, Autoimmune disease
Also known as: iPSC
An adult cell (typically a skin or blood cell) that has been reprogrammed in the laboratory to a pluripotent state — meaning it can differentiate into any cell type, like an embryonic stem cell. iPSCs are a major research tool but are not yet used clinically by Regeneris Therapy.
Related terms: Embryonic stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cell, Differentiation
A targeted injection delivered directly into the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc, performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Used for degenerated or herniated discs with chronic low-back pain that has failed conservative management.
Related terms: Disc herniation, Fluoroscopy, Pfirrmann grade
At Regeneris: Spine treatment program
An international scientific society that publishes standards for blood, tissue and cell-product handling — including the ISBT 128 labeling system used to identify HCT/P units across borders.
Related terms: ISCT (International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
The leading global scientific society in cell and gene therapy. ISCT publishes the consensus minimal criteria for defining mesenchymal stromal cells: plastic adherence, specific surface-marker expression, and tri-lineage differentiation capacity.
Related terms: ISBT (International Society of Blood Transfusion), Mesenchymal stem cell, Flow cytometry
Also known as: Intravenous nutrient therapy
Delivery of a customized vitamin, mineral, antioxidant or amino-acid solution directly into the bloodstream via a peripheral IV line. IV therapy bypasses gut absorption and is used for hydration, energy support, immune optimization and post-exertion recovery.
Related terms: NAD+ therapy, Peptide therapy
At Regeneris: IV menu and packages
Also known as: Intra-articular injection
Direct injection of a therapeutic agent — PRP, MSCs, exosomes or hyaluronic acid — into the joint space, typically under ultrasound guidance for accuracy. Used for knee, shoulder, hip and other joints affected by osteoarthritis or post-injury inflammation.
Related terms: Platelet-rich plasma, Exosomes, Osteoarthritis, Ultrasound-guided injection
At Regeneris: Joint injection service
A 0-4 radiographic grading system for osteoarthritis severity. Grade 0 = no changes; Grade 1 = doubtful narrowing; Grade 2 = definite osteophytes, possible narrowing; Grade 3 = moderate narrowing; Grade 4 = severe narrowing with bone deformity. Often used to grade knee OA candidacy.
Related terms: Osteoarthritis, WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index)
Also known as: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
A constellation of persistent symptoms (fatigue, brain fog, dyspnea, autonomic dysfunction) that continue more than 12 weeks after acute COVID-19, regardless of severity of initial infection. Multiple mechanisms are proposed; MSC therapy is studied for the inflammatory and immune-dysregulation component.
Related terms: Immunomodulation, Autoimmune disease
At Regeneris: Long COVID page
Also known as: MSC, mesenchymal stromal cell
A multipotent stromal cell capable of differentiating into bone, cartilage and fat lineages — and exerting potent paracrine and immunomodulatory effects on surrounding tissue. MSCs can be sourced from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord or dental pulp. The most-used cell in Regeneris protocols.
Related terms: Umbilical cord stem cell, Adipose-derived stem cell, Bone marrow aspirate concentrate, Immunomodulation, Paracrine signaling, Differentiation
At Regeneris: Stem cell therapy services
Also known as: Collagen induction therapy
An aesthetic procedure in which a roller or motorized pen creates controlled microscopic punctures in the skin to trigger collagen and elastin remodeling. Often combined with topical exosomes or PRP to enhance penetration and result quality.
Related terms: Platelet-rich plasma, Exosomes
Short non-coding RNA molecules (~22 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs and inhibiting their translation. miRNAs are key cargo of MSC-derived exosomes and mediate many of their downstream effects on target cells.
Related terms: Exosomes, Extracellular vesicle
Also known as: MS
A chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system in which T cells attack myelin sheaths in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include vision changes, motor weakness, fatigue and cognitive issues. MSC therapy is studied for relapsing-remitting and progressive forms.
Related terms: Autoimmune disease, EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), Immunomodulation
At Regeneris: MS treatment page
Also known as: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Intravenous administration of NAD+, a coenzyme essential for mitochondrial energy production, DNA repair and sirtuin activation. Cellular NAD+ declines with age; supplementation is used to support energy, cognitive function and recovery.
Related terms: IV therapy, Telomere, Cellular senescence
At Regeneris: NAD+ therapy service
An ultrasound-guided procedure in which a small volume of fluid (saline, dextrose, PRP or local anesthetic) is injected around an entrapped peripheral nerve to separate it from adjacent tissue, releasing adhesions and reducing irritation.
Related terms: Ultrasound-guided injection, Platelet-rich plasma
At Regeneris: Nerve hydrodissection service
A 10-section patient-reported outcome measure that quantifies functional disability from low-back pain on a 0-100% scale. Sections cover pain intensity, personal care, lifting, walking, sitting, sleeping, sex life, social life and travel. Used pre- and post-treatment for spine patients.
Related terms: Disc herniation, VAS (Visual Analog Scale)
Also known as: OA, degenerative joint disease
The most common chronic joint disease, characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling and synovial inflammation. Most often affects knees, hips, hands and spine. PRP, exosomes and MSC injections are studied for grade I-III OA.
Related terms: Kellgren-Lawrence grade, WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), Joint infiltration, Platelet-rich plasma
At Regeneris: Knee osteoarthritis page
A form of cell-to-cell communication in which a cell secretes signaling molecules (growth factors, cytokines, exosomes) that act on nearby cells without entering systemic circulation. Most therapeutic effects of MSCs are now believed to be paracrine rather than from cell engraftment.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Engraftment, Exosomes, Growth factor, Cytokine
Use of short chains of amino acids (typically 2-50 residues) that act as targeted biological signals — for repair (BPC-157), hormone release (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin), immune modulation (Thymosin alpha-1) or skin regeneration (GHK-Cu). Administered subcutaneously, IV or orally under medical supervision.
Related terms: Growth factor
At Regeneris: Peptide therapy program
An MRI-based 1-5 grading scale for intervertebral disc degeneration, based on disc structure, signal intensity, disc height and distinction between nucleus and annulus. Grade 1 = healthy disc; Grade 5 = collapsed disc with no signal. Helps select intradiscal stem-cell candidates.
Related terms: Disc herniation, Intradiscal injection
Also known as: PRP
An autologous biologic produced by drawing the patient's blood, centrifuging it to concentrate platelets, and re-injecting the concentrate into a target tissue. The concentrated platelets release growth factors (PDGF, VEGF, TGF-beta) that drive tissue repair. Used in orthopedic, aesthetic and hair-restoration protocols.
Related terms: Autologous, Growth factor, Joint infiltration, Exosomes, Microneedling
At Regeneris: PRP therapy service
A drug or natural compound that selectively triggers apoptosis in senescent cells, reducing their tissue burden. Examples studied in human trials include dasatinib + quercetin, fisetin and navitoclax. An emerging frontier of anti-aging medicine.
Related terms: Cellular senescence, Telomere
A weighted 24-item index that quantifies systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity over the previous 10 days. Higher scores indicate more active disease. SLEDAI scores guide treatment intensification and are used as a response marker in clinical trials.
Related terms: Systemic lupus erythematosus
The specialized local tissue microenvironment that maintains stem cells in their undifferentiated state and regulates their division and fate. Niches are defined by neighboring cells, extracellular matrix composition, oxygen tension and growth-factor gradients.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Differentiation, Paracrine signaling
The clinical use of living stem cells — most commonly mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord, bone marrow or adipose tissue — to modulate inflammation, support tissue repair signaling, or replace damaged cells in select indications. Delivered intravenously or by local injection.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Umbilical cord stem cell, Joint infiltration, Immunomodulation
At Regeneris: Stem cell therapy services
Also known as: SLE, lupus
A chronic systemic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks multiple tissues — joints, skin, kidneys, brain and serous membranes. Diagnosis requires ANA positivity plus clinical and laboratory criteria. MSC therapy is studied as adjunctive immunomodulation in refractory cases.
Related terms: Autoimmune disease, SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index), Immunomodulation, T-regulatory cells
At Regeneris: Lupus treatment page
Also known as: Tregs
A specialized subset of CD4+ T cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) that actively suppress overactive immune responses, maintain tolerance to self-antigens and prevent autoimmunity. MSCs upregulate Tregs, which is the central mechanism behind their effects in autoimmune disease.
Related terms: Immunomodulation, Mesenchymal stem cell, Autoimmune disease
A repetitive DNA sequence at the end of every chromosome that protects against degradation during cell division. Telomeres shorten with each division and trigger senescence when critically short. Telomere length is a biomarker of biological age.
Related terms: Cellular senescence, Senolytic
An umbrella term for any secreted molecule that supports the survival, growth or function of nearby cells — including neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF), angiogenic factors (VEGF), and tissue-specific growth factors. Trophic factor release is one of the main therapeutic mechanisms of MSCs.
Related terms: Growth factor, Paracrine signaling, Cytokine
Also known as: T2D, T2DM
A chronic metabolic condition characterized by insulin resistance and progressive beta-cell dysfunction, leading to elevated blood glucose. Standard care combines lifestyle modification, oral agents and insulin. MSC therapy is studied for its effects on insulin sensitivity and inflammation — but does NOT replace standard treatment.
Related terms: Autoimmune disease, Immunomodulation
At Regeneris: Type 2 diabetes page
A musculoskeletal injection technique that uses real-time ultrasound imaging to visualize anatomy and place the needle precisely at the target tissue (joint, tendon, nerve). Significantly improves accuracy over landmark-guided injections and is the standard of care for biologic injections.
Related terms: Joint infiltration, Nerve hydrodissection, Fluoroscopy, Platelet-rich plasma
Also known as: UC-MSC, Wharton's jelly MSC
A mesenchymal stem cell harvested from the Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord after a healthy term delivery, with consent. UC-MSCs are allogeneic, young, immunologically naive and highly proliferative — making them the most-used cell type in modern MSC therapy.
Related terms: Mesenchymal stem cell, Wharton's jelly, Allogeneic, Donor screening
At Regeneris: How we source our cells
A 0-10 (or 0-100 mm) self-reported pain scale in which the patient marks current pain intensity along a continuous line anchored by 'no pain' at one end and 'worst possible pain' at the other. The simplest and most widely used pain outcome measure.
Related terms: WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index), ODI (Oswestry Disability Index)
A laboratory assay that measures the percentage of living cells in a stem-cell preparation, typically using trypan blue exclusion or fluorescent dyes. Certified cell banks require minimum viability (commonly >=85-90%) before releasing a lot for clinical use.
Related terms: Flow cytometry, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), Donor screening
The gelatinous connective tissue that surrounds the blood vessels of the umbilical cord. It is exceptionally rich in mesenchymal stem cells and serves as the primary source of UC-MSCs used in modern allogeneic stem-cell therapy.
Related terms: Umbilical cord stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cell, Allogeneic
A 24-item disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure for hip and knee osteoarthritis, covering pain (5 items), stiffness (2 items) and physical function (17 items). Used pre- and post-injection to track functional response.
Related terms: Osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, VAS (Visual Analog Scale)
Educational reference. Not a substitute for medical advice. Every treatment recommendation at Regeneris Therapy follows an in-person physician evaluation. Last reviewed 2026-05-27. Medical reviewer: Dra. Claudia Labastida.
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