Mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), myocytes (muscle cells) and adipocytes (fat cells which give rise to marrow adipose tissue).

Origin

MSCs were first identified in the bone marrow and were shown to be capable of making bones, cartilage and fat cells. Since then, they have been found in a variety of other tissues, including umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, and adipose tissue.

Characteristics

MSCs are characterized by their ability to grow in a plastic-adherent manner, their expression of specific surface markers, and their potential to differentiate into multiple cell types. MSCs express a variety of stem cell markers, including CD105, CD73 and CD90, but do not express hematopoietic markers like CD34, CD45, CD14 or CD11b, co-stimulatory molecules such as CD80, CD86, or MHC class II.

Clinical Applications

MSCs have been used in a variety of clinical applications. They have been shown to be beneficial in treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and autoimmune diseases. MSCs have also been used in tissue engineering to repair damaged tissues and organs.

Research

Research is ongoing to further understand the capabilities of MSCs and to expand their therapeutic uses. Current research is focused on the use of MSCs in cell therapy, gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and immunomodulation.

See Also

• Stem cell treatments
• Regenerative medicine
• Cell therapy
• Tissue engineering