Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an excellent and easily accessible source of precursor cells that have applications in regenerative medicine. They can be obtained from almost any tissue; however, bone marrow, Wharton's jelly and adipose tissue are the most frequently used sources of MSCs. Increased interest in using MSCs in medical procedures has resulted in a pressing need to identify the genetic elements that can indicate the presence and the characteristics of MSCs. Genomic profiling enables the identification and characterization of MSCs as well as finding biomarkers and key molecules involved in all processes occurring in the cell. This knowledge is essential for developing a stem cell approach for tissue engineering and can improve the development of new clinical applications of MSCs. This review is an attempt to give an overview of key genetic markers indicating the main directions of MSC differentiation. The expression of these genes provides information about the direction and progress of differentiation and about interactions with the surrounding environment as well as specific molecular pathways that MSCs are involved in.
Highlights
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells that are capable of differentiating into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages at least (Fig. 1).[1]
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were identified in mice bone marrow aspirates, the spleen and the thymus, but further studies have revealed the presence of MSCs in most organs of the adult body as well as in cord blood, Wharton’s jelly, the perivascular area, and under the amniotic membrane of the umbilical cord, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid.[6,7]
A number of studies have reported that the isolation of stromal cells from adipose tissue is endowed with a high proliferative capacity and differentiation potential; adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are isolated from lipoaspirate.[8]
Summary
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells that are capable of differentiating into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages at least (Fig. 1).[1]. The expression of these genes provides information about the direction and progress of differentiation and about interactions with the surrounding environment as well as specific molecular pathways that MSCs are involved in.
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