Neural crest-derived stem cells as a tool in regenerative medicine

Аннотация

Толық мәтін

Recent development in regenerative medicine and cell-based therapy have brought encouraging perspectives for the use of stem cells in clinical trials. Multiple types of stem cells, from progenitors to pluripotent stem cells, have been investigated. Adult neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) were long term believed to be an in vitro phenomenon similar to embryonic stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst. During the last 15 years, however, an emerging line of evidence supported the hypothesis that at least a limited number of adult NCSCs may exist in the human body even in the adulthood. Remarkably, such adult NCSCs perform self-renewal and exhibit a differentiation potential comparable to their embryonic counterparts. In particular they can give rise to neurons, melanocytes, bone cells and cartilage. They represent an interesting adult stem cell source because they are present in significant numbers in craniofacial tissues compared to other adult stem cell sources. This lecture will provide a general overview about NCSCs and their clinical potential.