title: [Microenvironment directs the life of stem cells].
abstract: The regeneration of human tissues requires actively dividing tissue-specific stem cells. These cells are maintained and functionally regulated by a specific microenvironment, the stem cell niche. The niche provides protection and produces signals that guide stem cell division and differentiation. As a consequence, the niche plays a significant role in maintaining the tissue throughout life, and thus impaired tissue regeneration associated with aging may be partly due to the non-functional stem cell niche.
authors.forename: Nalle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pentinmikko
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Katajisto
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*