Biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells. They show various characteristics that make them suitable for clinical applications. The main stem cell characteristics are their capacity of autorenewal and of differentiation into different cell lines so it is quite possible that stem cells in different tissues exhibit a regenerative role when these tissues are injured. Bone marrow is the best studied tissue as a source of hematopoietic stem cells as well as mesenchymal stem cells (also known as mesenchymal stromal cells or mesenchymal stromal multipotent cells); clonogenic cells in the bone marrow stroma. They are able to differentiate under specific stimuli in several cell lines including osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic cells, and probably in other nonmesodermic cell lines such as neural cells or hepatocytes. Here the main characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells will be discussed, including the molecular and membrane markers, the division and differentiation properties, the heterogeneity, and the potential clinical applications.