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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue

Published on: October 8, 2016

Back to the future: moving beyond "mesenchymal stem cells".

¹Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. paolo.bianco@uniroma1.it

Journal of Cellular Biochemistry

|March 19, 2011

Summary

Recent research redefines mesenchymal stem cells, revealing they are microvascular mural cells regulating the bone marrow niche. This shifts focus from broad tissue regeneration to understanding their role in skeletal stem cell biology and hematopoietic regulation.

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Isolating Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) from Human Bone Marrow

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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue

Published on: October 8, 2016

Isolating Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) from Human Bone Marrow

Isolating Mesangiogenic Progenitor Cells (MPCs) from Human Bone Marrow

Published on: July 15, 2016

Area of Science:

Stem Cell Biology
Tissue Regeneration
Hematopoiesis

Background:

The prevailing concept of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) suggested broad regenerative potential across multiple tissues.
This notion diverged from the established understanding of skeletal stem cells originating solely from bone marrow.
Previous research on MSCs accumulated significant experimental data, necessitating a re-evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

To clarify the identity, origin, and in vivo function of archetypal "mesenchymal stem cells."
To reconcile the concept of MSCs with the established role of bone marrow skeletal stem cells.
To propose a novel paradigm for understanding skeletal stem cell biology and its translational applications.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of recent experimental data on bone marrow stem cells.
Analysis of cell identity, microvascular location, and in vivo function.
Re-evaluation of the "mesenchymal stem cell" concept in light of new findings.

Main Results:

Archetypal "mesenchymal stem cells" are identified as microvascular mural cells.
These cells function as regulators of the hematopoietic microenvironment/niche.
Recent data support a return to the original concept of bone marrow-derived skeletal stem cells.

Conclusions:

A novel paradigm redefines "mesenchymal stem cells" as specialized mural cells within the bone marrow vasculature.
This understanding clarifies previous experimental findings and refines the concept of skeletal stem cells.
The revised paradigm offers new perspectives for the translational use of these cells in regenerative medicine.