An Introduction to Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Research

This open access paper provides an introduction to the widespread use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine and research. This is one of the better documented stem cell populations. The scientific and medical communities have more experience with these cells than is the case for most other stem cell types, the methodologies for use are more established, and as a consequence MSCs have been and continue to be used in many clinical trials, cell therapies available via medical tourism, and lines of ongoing research. That said, these cells are training wheels in a way, one present step on a longer road. The step is taken because it is convenient and should reliably lead to the next stage in the development of better cell therapies - not because it is the final stopping point. Being first isolated in 1966 from bone marrow, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are adult stromal nonhematopoietic cells, well known for their potential to differentiate into osteoblasts and osteocytes. Although they are most known for their osteogenic differentiation potential, MSC have the ability to commit into all three lineages (osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic). MSC have been isolated and purified not only from bone marrow where they cooperate with hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to form the niche, but also from various tissues, such as umbilical cord and umbilical cord blood, white adipose tissue, placenta, and the amniotic membrane of placenta. The capacity of MSC to di...
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