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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
Cholesterol metabolism on stem cell fate determination: a frontier horizon
Boyang Xu1, Ling Li2, Qian Wei3
1State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, 999078, China.
Abstract:
Cholesterol, a key steroid in cell membranes and organelles, is vital for processes like migration and apoptosis, regulated by biosynthesis, uptake, and esterification. Its metabolism significantly impacts stem cell fate via pathways like AKT/FOXO1 and Notch, influencing proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Thus, cholesterol emerges as a promising therapeutic target. This review aims to shed light on the impact of cholesterol metabolism on stem cells and explores cholesterol-targeting drugs' potential in regenerative medicine. Our purpose is to elucidate cholesterol's role in stem cell function and guide therapeutic development.
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