title: Plasticity, niches, and the use of stem cells.
abstract: Stem cells possess the ability to self-renew and generate multiple cell types of the tissues in which they reside. Several studies have reported transdifferentiation events between different somatic stem cells. These properties have created tremendous excitement about the prospect of using stem cells from easily accessible sources for tissue engineering. However, recently, the plasticity of stem cells has met with several strong challenges. In this meeting review, we will discuss issues surrounding reports of transdifferentiation, the molecular mechanisms that govern stem cell states, and progress toward putting stem cells to use.
authors.affiliation: LMB/NINDS/NIH, Building 36, Room 5A29, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Robert Y L
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kittappa
authors.forename: Ronald D G
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002999:Clone Cells; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006822:Hybrid Cells / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
chemical_list: D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins