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Comment
. 2018 Mar 27;9(1):78.
doi: 10.1186/s13287-018-0833-1.

The need to revisit the definition of mesenchymal and adult stem cells based on their functional attributes

Deepa Bhartiya  1
Affiliations
Comment

The need to revisit the definition of mesenchymal and adult stem cells based on their functional attributes

Deepa Bhartiya. Stem Cell Res Ther. .

Abstract

A debate is ongoing about the 'stem cell' status of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This can easily be resolved based on the definition of a stem cell. 'True' stem cells are expected to undergo asymmetric cell divisions (ACD) whereby they divide to self-renew and give rise to a slightly bigger, differentiated cell. However, MSCs like any other adult tissue-specific stem cells, including hematopoietic (HSCs), spermatogonial (SSCs) and ovarian (OSCs) stem cells, do not undergo ACD; rather they undergo rapid symmetrical cell divisions. The true stem cells in adult tissues are possibly the pluripotent stem cells termed very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), which were recently shown to undergo ACD to give rise to tissue-specific stem cells 'progenitors' (currently termed 'adult stem cells') that in turn undergo rapid symmetric cell divisions and clonal expansion (sphere formation with incomplete cytokinesis) followed by differentiation into tissue-specific cell types. MSCs can be cultured from any tissue source and are an excellent source of growth factors/cytokines and thus could provide a niche for proper functioning of the stem/progenitor cells.

Keywords: Asymmetric cell division; Mesenchymal cells; Stem cells; Very small embryonic-like stem cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

OTH/607/01-2018.

Competing interests

The author declares that she has no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Deciphering stem cell biology in adult tissues. VSELs undergo ACD and are ‘true’ stem cells in adult tissues
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment on

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