The use of mesenchymal (skeletal) stem cells for treatment of degenerative diseases: Current status and future perspectives

✍ Scribed by Basem M. Abdallah; Moustapha Kassem

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 72 KB
• Volume: 218
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9541
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21572

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Human bone marrow derived‐mesenchymal (skeletal) stem (MSC) cells are a group of non‐hematopoietic stem cells residing in the perivascular niches in bone marrow. These cells have the capacity to differentiate mainly into mesoderm‐type cells such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes and possibly but not proven to non‐mesodermal cell types. Recently, there has been an increased interest in understanding the biology of MSC due to their potential use in cell‐based therapy for multiple degenerative diseases. Here, we will provide an update on the current status of these novel therapeutic opportunities. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 9–12, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.