Chapter 6 - Human pluripotent nontumorigenic multilineage differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells isolated from adipose tissue: A new paradigm in regenerative medicine and cell therapy

Abstract

Over the last two decades, regenerative medicine has been a growing trend in the scientific research arena. The central focus of regenerative medicine to restore damaged tissues and organs lies upon the use of cells exhibiting pluripotency, the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into any cell type present in the body. By this theory, pluripotent stem cells potentially have the ability to repair and replace any diseased and damaged tissues, prompting research groups worldwide to investigate the use of such cells in regenerative medicine and cell therapy to treat many diseases prevalent in the population. Embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells currently remain as the gold standard of pluripotent stem cells; however, both cell types exhibit tumorigenesis in vivo, limiting their potential for clinical treatment. On the other hand, a novel population of nontumorigenic pluripotent stem cells, named multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells isolated from human adipose tissue (Muse-AT cells), has been discovered in 2013, with very promising qualities for use in tissue regeneration. This chapter outlines (i) the discovery of Muse cells in bone marrow (BM) and later in adipose tissue (Muse-AT cells), (ii) components of adipose tissue, (iii) multipotent adipose stem cells (ASCs), (iv) differences between Muse-AT cells and ASCs, and (v) unique properties of Muse-AT cells and their clinical relevance.