Stem Cell Biology

Abstract

Stem cells are a population of unspecialized precursor cells that have capacity for self-renewal and the ability to differentiate, leading to formation of mature cells and tissues. Within the bone marrow, there appear to be at least three different types of stem cell. Pluripotent stem cells, including ESCs and iPSCs, have only been variably derived and characterized in veterinary species. New tools and resources, along with the ongoing advances being made in mouse and human stem cell biology focused on identifying factors critical to maintenance of pluripotency, provide promise for further identification and optimization of pluripotent stem cells for veterinary species. Pluripotent stem cells are likely decades away from an FDA-approved veterinary product; however, iPSCs hold tremendous promise for the study of disease processes in vitro and the development of patient-specific cell-based regenerative therapies.