Mesenchymal stem cells: New insights into tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Abstract

The characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including their capacity to differentiate into multiple cell types of mesenchymal lineage, their relative ease of expansion in culture, and their immunomodulatory activities, make these cells a promising candidate cell type for a number of potential therapeutic applications such as tissue repair. Although the combination of phenotypic and functional properties currently used to identify MSCs have yet to be specified, the unique characteristics of MSCs are actively being exploited in the clinic for the treatment of a variety of degenerative diseases. This review article focuses on the recent progress in MSC biology, development of technologies to enhance their functions, and advances in MSC-based tissue regeneration, specifically cartilage. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.