Stem cells: Biology, types, polarity, and asymmetric cell division: A review

Abstract

Applicability of stem cells in cell-based therapy and regenerative medicine provided hope for untreatable diseases; subsequently, stem cells bioengineering has become a promising scientific research topic. Different types of stem cells possess different characteristics; certain types are superior to others according to their advantages. Cell bias toward asymmetric division is the first step regarding tissue regeneration and homeostasis, and this event is stimulated by chemical and mechanical cues arising from the surrounding microenvironment. Inappropriate asymmetric cell division (ACD) consequently results in organ disrupt morphogenesis. Intracellular events including polar distribution of regulatory proteins and fate determinants are of significant importance to prepare cells toward asymmetric division. The assembly of polarity proteins on opposite sides of the cell would induce downstream signaling pathway, and this forms a fundamental mechanism to establish cell asymmetric division. This review addresses the current understanding regarding stem cells biology, niche-raised cues, and polarity of regularity proteins and fate determinants of ACD.