title: Q&A: Mesenchymal stem cells - where do they come from and is it important?
abstract: Mesenchymal stem - or stromal - cells (MSCs) have been administered in hundreds of clinical trials for multiple indications, making them some of the most commonly used selected regenerative cells. Paradoxically, MSCs have also long remained the least characterized stem cells regarding native identity and natural function, being isolated retrospectively in long-term culture. Recent years have seen progress in our understanding of the natural history of these cells, and candidate native MSCs have been identified within fetal and adult organs. Beyond basic knowledge, deciphering the biology of innate MSCs may have important positive consequences for the therapeutic use of these cells.
authors.affiliation: BHF Centre for Vascular Regeneration, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Iain R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: BHF Centre for Vascular Regeneration, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. bpeault@mednet.ucla.edu.|Orthopedic Hospital Research Center and Broad Stem Cell Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. bpeault@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Péault
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D008322:Mammals; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*