Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Feeder-free Derivation of Neural Crest Progenitor Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: May 22, 2014
Neural crest as the source of adult stem cells
Chris Pierret1, Kathleen Spears, Joel A Maruniak
1Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA.
Abstract:
Recent studies suggest that adult stem cells can cross germ layer boundaries. For example, bone marrow-derived stem cells appear to differentiate into neurons and glial cells, as well as other types of cells. How can stem cells from bone marrow, pancreas, skin, or fat become neurons and glia; in other words, what molecular and cellular events direct mesodermal cells to a neural fate? Transdifferentiation, dediffereniation, and fusion of donor adult stem cells with fully differentiated host cells have been proposed to explain the plasticity of adult stem cells. Here we review the origin of select adult stem cell populations and propose a unifying hypothesis to explain adult stem cell plasticity. In addition, we outline specific experiments to test our hypothesis. We propose that peripheral, tissue-derived, or adult stem cells are all progeny of the neural crest.
Related Concept Videos
Stem Cell Niche
Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
Adult Stem Cells
Stem Cell Culture
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

