Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
08:58
An Enzymatic Method to Rescue Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Clotted Bone Marrow Samples
Published on: April 12, 2015
[Plasticity and application of marrow-derived stem cells]
Xiaojun Duan1, Yue Zhou, Liu Yang
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, PR China.
Summary
Marrow-derived stem cells show potential plasticity, with emerging evidence suggesting multiple mechanisms. Further research is needed to confirm this plasticity for expanded therapeutic applications in genetic and degenerative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Context:
- Marrow-derived stem cells (MDSCs) are a focus of research due to their potential therapeutic uses.
- Understanding stem cell plasticity is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine.
Purpose:
- To review the current literature on the plasticity of marrow-derived stem cells.
- To explore potential mechanisms underlying stem cell plasticity.
- To discuss the implications of stem cell plasticity for therapeutic applications.
Summary:
- While definitive proof is pending, accumulating evidence suggests marrow-derived stem cells possess plasticity.
- At least four distinct mechanisms are proposed to explain this potential plasticity.
- Further extensive research is required to validate these findings.
Impact:
- Confirmation of MDSC plasticity could revolutionize treatments for genetic and degenerative diseases.
- This could enable the use of bone marrow stem cells to treat conditions in organs where cell isolation is challenging.
- Expanded therapeutic applications for adult stem cells in treating a wider range of disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...