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Isolation of Embryonic Ventricular Endothelial Cells
08:05

Isolation of Embryonic Ventricular Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 20, 2013

Identification of very small embryonic/epiblast-like stem cells (VSELs) circulating in peripheral blood during

Mariusz Z Ratajczak1, Rui Liu, Wojciech Marlicz

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Physiology, Stem Cell Biology Institute, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Methods in Cell Biology
|July 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Scientists discovered pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) in adult tissues. These VSELs may aid tissue repair and rejuvenation, and their detection in blood could offer prognostic value for injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) are identified in adult tissues.
  • VSELs are hypothesized to originate during gastrulation and serve as a backup for tissue-specific stem cells.
  • These cells may play roles in tissue rejuvenation and repair after injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present methods for detecting and enumerating VSELs in human blood.
  • To highlight the potential prognostic value of VSEL enumeration in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry (FACS)-based strategies are detailed.
  • Detection and enumeration protocols for VSELs in human peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood are described.

Main Results:

  • FACS-based strategies enable the detection and enumeration of VSELs.
  • Evidence suggests VSELs mobilize into peripheral blood during tissue injury.

Conclusions:

  • VSELs represent a quiescent pluripotent stem cell population in adult tissues.
  • Enumeration of VSELs in peripheral blood may serve as a prognostic indicator for organ damage.
  • Further research into VSELs could advance regenerative medicine and diagnostics.

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