Recent advances in tissue stem cells

doi:10.1007/s11427-021-2007-8

Review

. 2021 Dec;64(12):1998-2029.

doi: 10.1007/s11427-021-2007-8. Epub 2021 Nov 30.

Recent advances in tissue stem cells

Xin Fu^#¹, Qiang He^#², Yu Tao^#², Mengdi Wang^#^{3

4}, Wei Wang^#^{3

4}, Yalong Wang^#⁵, Qing Cissy Yu^#², Fang Zhang^#², Xiaoyu Zhang^#^{2

4}, Ye-Guang Chen^{6

7}, Dong Gao^{8

9

10}, Ping Hu^{11

12

13

14

15}, Lijian Hui^{16

17

18

19

20}, Xiaoqun Wang^{21

22

23

24}, Yi Arial Zeng^{25

26

27}

Affiliations

¹ Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou), Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
⁴ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
⁵ The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
⁶ The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. ygchen@tsinghua.edu.cn.
⁷ Max-Planck Center for Tissue Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China. ygchen@tsinghua.edu.cn.
⁸ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
⁹ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁰ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹¹ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹² Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹³ Max-Planck Center for Tissue Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁴ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁵ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁶ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁷ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁸ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁹ School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁰ School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
²¹ State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou), Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²³ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²⁴ Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²⁵ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁶ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁷ School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34865207
DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2007-8

Review

Recent advances in tissue stem cells

Xin Fu et al. Sci China Life Sci. 2021 Dec.

. 2021 Dec;64(12):1998-2029.

doi: 10.1007/s11427-021-2007-8. Epub 2021 Nov 30.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
³ State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou), Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
⁴ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
⁵ The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
⁶ The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. ygchen@tsinghua.edu.cn.
⁷ Max-Planck Center for Tissue Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China. ygchen@tsinghua.edu.cn.
⁸ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
⁹ University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁰ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. dong.gao@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹¹ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹² Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹³ Max-Planck Center for Tissue Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, 510530, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁴ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁵ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. hup@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁶ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁷ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁸ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
¹⁹ School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁰ School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China. ljhui@sibcb.ac.cn.
²¹ State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou), Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²³ Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²⁴ Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. xiaoqunwang@ibp.ac.cn.
²⁵ State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁶ Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Suzhou, 215121, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.
²⁷ School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China. yzeng@sibcb.ac.cn.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34865207
DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2007-8

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation, giving rise to specialized functional cells. Stem cells are of pivotal importance for organ and tissue development, homeostasis, and injury and disease repair. Tissue-specific stem cells are a rare population residing in specific tissues and present powerful potential for regeneration when required. They are usually named based on the resident tissue, such as hematopoietic stem cells and germline stem cells. This review discusses the recent advances in stem cells of various tissues, including neural stem cells, muscle stem cells, liver progenitors, pancreatic islet stem/progenitor cells, intestinal stem cells, and prostate stem cells, and the future perspectives for tissue stem cell research.

Keywords: intestinal stem cells; liver progenitors; muscle stem cells; neural stem cells; pancreatic islet stem/progenitor cells; prostate stem cells.

PubMed Disclaimer

Cited by

Rapid DNA and RNA isolation from few or single cells using low-cost NAxtra magnetic nanoparticles.
Starheim EJ, Manaf A, Hashim A, Andersen NN, Ravlo E, Wang W, Saasen VL, Liabakk NB, Erlandsen SE, Aas PA, Hagen L, Bjørås M. Starheim EJ, et al. Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):22472. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-05770-y. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID: 40596037 Free PMC article.
The asymmetrical ESR1 signaling in muscle progenitor cells determines the progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Shao X, Fu X, Yang J, Sui W, Li S, Yang W, Lin X, Zhang Y, Jia M, Liu H, Liu W, Han L, Yu Y, Deng Y, Zhang T, Yang J, Hu P. Shao X, et al. Cell Discov. 2023 Apr 25;9(1):44. doi: 10.1038/s41421-023-00531-5. Cell Discov. 2023. PMID: 37185898 Free PMC article.
KRT5^high TP63-expressing urothelial basal cells act as a driver to bladder urothelium regeneration in rabbit.
Chen J, Yu M, Wang L, Xie H, Lv Y, Huang Y, Hong Y, Chen F. Chen J, et al. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025 Jun 7;16(1):296. doi: 10.1186/s13287-025-04417-z. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025. PMID: 40483513 Free PMC article.
Chromatin remodeling in tissue stem cell fate determination.
Li X, Zhu G, Zhao B. Li X, et al. Cell Regen. 2024 Sep 30;13(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s13619-024-00203-z. Cell Regen. 2024. PMID: 39348027 Free PMC article. Review.
Intestinal cellular heterogeneity and disease development revealed by single-cell technology.
Wang Y, Song W, Yu S, Liu Y, Chen YG. Wang Y, et al. Cell Regen. 2022 Sep 1;11(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s13619-022-00127-6. Cell Regen. 2022. PMID: 36045190 Free PMC article. Review.

See all "Cited by" articles

References

1. Abate-Shen, C., and Shen, M.M. (2000). Molecular genetics of prostate cancer. Genes Dev 14, 2410–2434. - PubMed
1. Aizarani, N., Saviano, A., Sagar, A., Mailly, L., Durand, S., Herman, J.S., Pessaux, P., Baumert, T.F., and Grün, D. (2019). A human liver cell atlas reveals heterogeneity and epithelial progenitors. Nature 572, 199–204. - PubMed - PMC
1. Al-Hasani, K., Pfeifer, A., Courtney, M., Ben-Othman, N., Gjernes, E., Vieira, A., Druelle, N., Avolio, F., Ravassard, P., Leuckx, G., et al. (2013). Adult duct-lining cells can reprogram into β-like cells able to counter repeated cycles of toxin-induced diabetes. Dev Cell 26, 86–100. - PubMed
1. Alvarez-Buylla, A., and Lim, D.A. (2004). For the long run. Neuron 41, 683–686. - PubMed
1. Amaral, D.G., and Witter, M.P. (1989). The three-dimensional organization of the hippocampal formation: a review of anatomical data. Neuroscience 31, 571–591. - PubMed

Publication types

Actions

MeSH terms

Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions
Actions

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources
- Springer
Medical
- MedlinePlus Health Information

[1] Abate-Shen, C., and Shen, M.M. (2000). Molecular genetics of prostate cancer. Genes Dev 14, 2410–2434. - PubMed

[2] Abate-Shen, C., and Shen, M.M. (2000). Molecular genetics of prostate cancer. Genes Dev 14, 2410–2434. - PubMed

[3] Aizarani, N., Saviano, A., Sagar, A., Mailly, L., Durand, S., Herman, J.S., Pessaux, P., Baumert, T.F., and Grün, D. (2019). A human liver cell atlas reveals heterogeneity and epithelial progenitors. Nature 572, 199–204. - PubMed - PMC

[4] Aizarani, N., Saviano, A., Sagar, A., Mailly, L., Durand, S., Herman, J.S., Pessaux, P., Baumert, T.F., and Grün, D. (2019). A human liver cell atlas reveals heterogeneity and epithelial progenitors. Nature 572, 199–204. - PubMed - PMC

[5] Al-Hasani, K., Pfeifer, A., Courtney, M., Ben-Othman, N., Gjernes, E., Vieira, A., Druelle, N., Avolio, F., Ravassard, P., Leuckx, G., et al. (2013). Adult duct-lining cells can reprogram into β-like cells able to counter repeated cycles of toxin-induced diabetes. Dev Cell 26, 86–100. - PubMed

[6] Al-Hasani, K., Pfeifer, A., Courtney, M., Ben-Othman, N., Gjernes, E., Vieira, A., Druelle, N., Avolio, F., Ravassard, P., Leuckx, G., et al. (2013). Adult duct-lining cells can reprogram into β-like cells able to counter repeated cycles of toxin-induced diabetes. Dev Cell 26, 86–100. - PubMed

[7] Alvarez-Buylla, A., and Lim, D.A. (2004). For the long run. Neuron 41, 683–686. - PubMed

[8] Alvarez-Buylla, A., and Lim, D.A. (2004). For the long run. Neuron 41, 683–686. - PubMed

[9] Amaral, D.G., and Witter, M.P. (1989). The three-dimensional organization of the hippocampal formation: a review of anatomical data. Neuroscience 31, 571–591. - PubMed

[10] Amaral, D.G., and Witter, M.P. (1989). The three-dimensional organization of the hippocampal formation: a review of anatomical data. Neuroscience 31, 571–591. - PubMed

Save citation to file

Email citation

Add to Collections

Add to My Bibliography

Your saved search

Create a file for external citation management software

Your RSS Feed

Recent advances in tissue stem cells

Affiliations

Recent advances in tissue stem cells

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Similar articles

Cited by

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical

Abstract

Similar articles

Cited by

References

Publication types

MeSH terms

Related information

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources

Medical