title: Heterogeneity of Stem Cells: A Brief Overview.
abstract: Stem cells possess the extraordinary capacity of self-renewal and differentiation to various cell types, thus to form original tissues and organs. Stem cell heterogeneity including genetic and nongenetic mechanisms refers to biological differences amongst normal and stem cells originated within the same tissue. Cell differentiation hierarchy and stochasticity in gene expression and signaling pathways may result in phenotypic differences of stem cells. The maintenance of stemness and activation of differentiation potential are fundamentally orchestrated by microenvironmental stem cell niche-related cellular and humoral signals.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Medicine, Immunology Division, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi u. 46., Budapest, 1088, Hungary. muzes.gyorgyi@med.semmelweis-univ.hu.
authors.forename: Györgyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Műzes
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Medicine, Immunology Division, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi u. 46., Budapest, 1088, Hungary.
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sipos
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000235:genetics*; D013234:Stem Cells
keywords: Adult stem cells; Cancer stem cells; Differentiation; Embryonic stem cells; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Microenvironment