Stem cell plasticity and tumour formation.
Stem cell plasticity refers to the ability of certain stem cells to switch lineage determination and generate unexpected cell types. This review applies largely to bone marrow cells (BMCs), which appear to contribute positively to the regeneration of several damaged non-haematopoietic tissues. This beneficial effect on regeneration may be a direct result of BMCs giving rise to organ parenchymal cells. Alternatively, it could be due to BMCs fusing with existing parenchymal cells, or providing paracrine growth factor support, or contributing to neovascularisation. In the context of oncology, BMC derivation of the tumour stroma and vasculature has profound biological and therapeutic implications, and there are several examples of carcinomas seemingly being derived from BMCs.
Alison
Malcolm R
MR
Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine, Queen Mary' School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, 4 Newark Street, Whitechapel, London E1 2AT, UK. m.alison@qmul.ac.uk
Lovell
Matthew J
MJ
Direkze
Natalie C
NC
Wright
Nicholas A
NA
Poulsom
Richard
R
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D002459:Cell Fusion; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*