Prospective identification and isolation of murine bone marrow derived multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells

Enormous confusion still exists in the scientific community regarding the in vivo identity of putative bone marrow (BM) multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs). There is still lack of consensus between laboratories on this issue but recent advancements in this field have shed light on the identity of these cells in humans. However, in mice there are limited and reproducible data available that convincingly define prospectively these cells in vivo. In this review we will critically address: 1) important considerations on how to interpret MPC nomenclature, heterogeneity and differentiation abilities; 2) potential surface antigens that could aid in the isolation of MPC from mouse BM; 3) and their topography and prospective cellular relationship with pericytes, adventitial reticulocytes (ARCs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).