Conceptual models to understand tissue stem cell organization

Abstract

Purpose of review: Theoretic and, in particular, mathematic models can help biologists to select and design experiments, to highlight general principles, to discriminate similar and to link different phenomena, and to predict novel features. Specifically, they contribute to an understanding of latent mechanisms and crucial parameters of biologic processes. The following review gives an overview of recent developments in the field of hematopoietic tissue stem cell modeling.

Recent findings: A number of experimental findings on heterogeneity, flexibility, and plasticity of hematopoietic and other tissue stem cells are challenging the classic stem cell concept of a predefined intrinsic stem cell program. Self-organizing systems provide a more elegant and comprehensive alternative to explain experimental data.

Summary: Within the last few decades, modeling approaches in stem cell biology have evolved and now encompass a broad spectrum of phenomena, ranging from the cellular level to the tissue level. The application of theoretic models is currently suggesting that we abandon the classic assumption of a strict developmental hierarchy and understand stem cell organization as a dynamic, functional process. Such a perspective has implications for a prospective characterization of tissue stem cells (eg, regarding gene expression profiles and genetic regulation patterns).