[Stem cell niche and its roles in proliferation and differentiation of stem cells]

Abstract

Stem cells are a kind of specialized cell type with the ability of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation potential. They can proliferate and differentiate into many other cell types under a specific condition. However, proliferation and differentiation behaviors of stem cells depend on their located microenvironment, which is also named stem cell niche. An appropriate spatiotemporal dialog occurs between stem cells and niche to fulfill the balance of their self-renewal and differentiation. This review focused on several different stem cell niches and their relationship with proliferation and differentiation of stem cells.