title: Adult-derived stem cells and their potential for use in tissue repair and molecular medicine.
abstract: This report reviews three categories of precursor cells present within adults. The first category of precursor cell, the epiblast-like stem cell, has the potential of forming cells from all three embryonic germ layer lineages, e.g., ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The second category of precursor cell, the germ layer lineage stem cell, consists of three separate cells. Each of the three cells is committed to form cells limited to a specific embryonic germ layer lineage. Thus the second category consists of germ layer lineage ectodermal stem cells, germ layer lineage mesodermal stem cells, and germ layer lineage endodermal stem cells. The third category of precursor cells, progenitor cells, contains a multitude of cells. These cells are committed to form specific cell and tissue types and are the immediate precursors to the differentiated cells and tissues of the adult. The three categories of precursor cells can be readily isolated from adult tissues. They can be distinguished from each other based on their size, growth in cell culture, expressed genes, cell surface markers, and potential for differentiation. This report also discusses new findings. These findings include the karyotypic analysis of germ layer lineage stem cells; the appearance of dopaminergic neurons after implantation of naive adult pluripotent stem cells into a 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned Parkinson's model; and the use of adult stem cells as transport mechanisms for exogenous genetic material. We conclude by discussing the potential roles of adult-derived precursor cells as building blocks for tissue repair and as delivery vehicles for molecular medicine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31207, USA. young_he@mercer.edu
authors.forename: Henry E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Cecile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duplaa
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Kristina C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Angel N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Boev
authors.forename: Nicholas L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Henson
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: Joe H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Uchakin
authors.forename: Marylen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rimando
authors.forename: Gypsy F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jee-In
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Darren J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Josh C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Joel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lightner
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hutchings
authors.forename: Meredith L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McAbee
authors.forename: Brandon M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piskurich
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hixson
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Bowyer
authors.forename: Asa C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*