Perspective: stem cells react! Cell lineages as complex adaptive systems.
It may be argued that adult stem cell processes or, more precisely, the cell lineages that arise from them, represent complex reactive or adaptive systems. Approaching hematopoietic and other stem cell lineages from this perspective has direct bearing on current debates regarding the plasticity of these lineage systems as well as on interpretation and modeling of clinical data regarding many diseases.
Theise
Neil D
ND
Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA. ntheise@chpnet.org
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D019070:Cell Lineage; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans