Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are somatic stem cells endowed with extraordinary regenerative and immunomodulatory properties that have been used in over 100 clinical trials worldwide to date. Their accessibility from autologous sources and safety when used in allogeneic transplantation make them ideal candidates from a wide variety of cell therapies. On the other hand, our limited understanding of their ontogeny, physiological role, and in vivo behavior currently limits the efficacy of MSC-based therapies. More specifically, MSC-like cells can be procured from many organs and tissues, but it is still unclear how these relate to the traditional marrow-derived MSCs in terms of developmental origin, behavior, and therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, there is still some uncertainty about the mechanisms by which MSCs home to sites of injury and participate in tissue repair. This chapter will review our current understanding about these various issues, including the characterization and ontogeny of marrow-derived MSCs, alternative MSC sources, trafficking and homing of MSCs, and mechanisms of tissue repair.
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-09-30
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 19
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