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Stem Cell Niche

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced 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...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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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...

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

Published on: May 30, 2012

Pluripotent stem cells and their niches.

M William Lensch¹, Laurence Daheron, Thorsten M Schlaeger

¹Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Stem Cell Reviews

|July 13, 2007

Summary

Pluripotent stem cells, crucial for development and regeneration, require understanding their microenvironment. Research explores how stem cell signaling and transcription factors interact with the niche to control cell fate and function.

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

Stem cells are vital for organism development and tissue repair.
Pluripotent stem cells from embryos can differentiate into all cell types.
Adult stem cells are categorized by their differentiation potential (multipotent, etc.).

Purpose of the Study:

To review mechanisms controlling pluripotent stem cell fate and function.
To explore the role of the microenvironment (niche) in stem cell regulation.
To consider the existence and location of adult pluripotent stem cell niches.

Main Methods:

Review of signal transduction pathways in pluripotent stem cells.
Analysis of transcription factor networks regulating stem cell behavior.

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Reprogramming Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines from Frozen Buffy Coat Samples

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Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

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Published on: May 30, 2012

Reprogramming Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines from Frozen Buffy Coat Samples

Reprogramming Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines from Frozen Buffy Coat Samples

Published on: April 10, 2026

Examination of the stem cell niche concept in relation to tissue regeneration and tumor formation.

Main Results:

Pluripotent stem cell fate is intricately linked to microenvironmental cues.
Signal transduction and transcription factor networks integrate niche information.
Tumor characteristics can indicate the presence and developmental potential of adult stem cells.

Conclusions:

Understanding the stem cell niche is essential for harnessing pluripotent stem cells.
Pluripotent stem cells offer potential for regenerative therapies.
Further research into stem cell niches can illuminate developmental processes and disease.