[Notch signaling in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells]

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is an adult stem cell which has the multipotential differentiation ability. In vitro experiments demonstrated that MSC is able to differentiate into various lineage cells including bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle cells. In addition, MSC has also been shown to differentiate into neural precursors, cardiomyocytes, liver cells, and possible other cell types. The Notch pathway is a highly conserved signaling mechanism involved in many processes determining cell fate during the animal development, and plays an important role in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Notch ligands and receptors are both transmembrane proteins, and suggest that Notch-mediated cellular interaction is an important way in cell to cell communication. Studies of Notch function provide evidence that Notch signaling affects various differentiation capabilities of MSC. In this review, the roles of Notch signaling in differentiation of MSC are summarized.