Stem cells and their applications in skin-cell therapy.
Skin stem cell biology is a rapidly advancing field in the life sciences. There is increasing evidence that skin represents a larger reservoir for adult stem cells (including mesenchymal, hematopoietic and neural stem cells) than the epidermis. Given that skin is easily accessible and immune privileged, skin stem cells will not only provide hope for the functional repair of the skin itself but will also offer a potential source of adult stem cells for the cell-based therapy of injuries and diseases throughout the body. This article reviews the current status of research in this area and discusses the occurrence, plasticity and potential uses of skin stem cells.
Shi
Chunmeng
C
Institute of Combined Injury, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, 30 Gaotanyan Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038 China. shicm1010@yahoo.com.cn
Zhu
Ying
Y
Su
Yongping
Y
Cheng
Tianmin
T
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology