Multiple sources of non-embryonic multipotent stem cells: processed lipoaspirates and dermis as promising alternatives to bone-marrow-derived cell therapies

Cell Tissue Res. 2006 Sep;325(3):403-11. doi: 10.1007/s00441-006-0172-x. Epub 2006 Apr 13.

Abstract

A body of evidence points to the existence of stem cell stores in adult tissues, in addition to the well-known hematopoietic stem cells from bone marrow. Many reports describe the ability of these multipotent cells (developmentally non-compromised with their organs of origin) to give rise to many different cell types in response to specific stimuli. This apparent plasticity provides new perspectives in tissue engineering and suggests the usefulness of these cells in future protocols of autologous transplantation, gene therapy, and tissue reconstitution in a number of pathological processes. Lipoaspirates and dermis represent accessible sources for obtaining such cells, with minimal discomfort to the donor, and might be promising candidates for cell therapy procedures once their features are experimentally accessed. The intention of the present work has been to gather reports on the phenotypic characteristics, profile, and plastic potential of these stem cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / cytology*
  • Adult
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Dermis / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Tissue Engineering