[Plasticity of somatic stem cells: dream or reality?].
BACKGROUND
Common and defining properties of stem cells are their capacity for self-renewal and their potential for differentiation into multiple mature cell types. In contrast to embryonic stem cells, which are able to give rise to all cell types of the body, somatic stem cells have been regarded as being restricted in their differentiation potential.
Recent studies support the idea that somatic stem cells from adult tissues can also contribute to heterologous tissues, i.e., transdifferentiate to unrelated cell types. These claims contradict the central dogma of the unidirectionality of differentiation processes. This review discusses the developmental potential of somatic stem cells in the light of recent findings.
Institut für Medizinische Strahlenkunde und Zellforschung, Universität Würzburg.
Michael
M
Dürr
Albrecht M
AM
Müller
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005544:Forecasting; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors