Abstract
The broad definition of a stem cell is a population of cells that has the ability to self-renew and to differentiate into one or more types of specialized terminally differentiated cells. It has become evident that stem cells persist in and can be isolated from many organs postnatally. Stem cells isolated from various sources have been demonstrated to vary in their differentiation capacity or pluripotentiality. Differentiation causes stem cells to adopt the phenotypic, biochemical, and functional properties of more terminally differentiated cells. As such, the newly differentiated cells may replace and/or support cells damaged by disease. Investigators have begun to examine postnatal sources of pluripotent stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue for therapeutic applications. The anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and neurotrophic factors secreted by mesenchymal stem cells have increased interest in developing stem cell-based therapies for many devastating conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This chapter summarizes the origins, isolation, characterization, cell cycle properties, and differentiation potential of bone marrow stromal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cell Cycle Regulation and Differentiation in Cardiovascular and Neural Systems |
| Publisher | Springer New York |
| Pages | 121-138 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781603271523 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Cell cycle
- Differentiation
- Expansion
- Immunophenotype
- Mesenchymal stem cells
- Regenerative medicine