Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Overview
Down Arrow

 

 

The extraordinary ability of stem cells to self-renew and differentiate into other types of specialized cells make them highly valuable in several therapeutic applications. This ability is critical for the preservation of tissues that constantly renew themselves, such as blood, skin and intestine. Stem cells are found in all developmental stages from the embryo (embryonic stem cells) to adulthood (adult stem cells). Several types of stem cells emerge during the developmental process and actively participate in tissue homeostasis.

 

 

Stem cells and stem cell niches

Different types of stem cells, including totipotent, pluripotent, oligopotent and unipotent stem cells, have been described. Pluripotent stem cells, e.g., embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are extensively used in stem cell research. ESCs can differentiate in culture into the three germ layers of embryonic development. Using key transcription factors, mature differentiated—or somatic—cells can be induced into pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiation into many types of cells, including hematopoietic cells (HSCs).2

performance1

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), also defined as multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, are the predecessors of mesenchymal tissues, such as bone and cartilage. They regulate several immune functions such as the antigen presentation activity of dendritic cells, cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells, and antibody production by B-cells. Due to their strong immunosuppressive function, MSCs are potential candidates for cell-based approaches for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Several studies suggest the ability of MSCs to also differentiate into cell types of an unrelated tissue.3 MSCs and their derivatives encompass several types of cells that constitute the HSC niche, such as pericytes, bone-marrow stromal cells and osteo-lineage cells. MSCs can be isolated from several adult tissues (bone marrow, peripheral blood, adipose tissue) or fetal tissues and have been utilized in cell therapy research and regenerative medicine.4

performance1

Stem cell niches

A stem cell niche is a nurturing environment where stem cells are regrouped, can self-renew and remain in an undifferentiated state. With appropriate cellular signaling, stem cells can be mobilized from the niche to target regions where they are required. Many stem cell niches have been identified throughout the human body, including subventricular and subgranular zones in the brain (SVZ and SGZ), hair follicles, intestinal crypts and bone marrow.5, 6, 7

performance1

Multicolor flow cytometry for stem cell research

Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for monitoring the heterogeneity of subsets of cells based on established markers. You can use fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies specific for either cell surface or intracellular biomarkers to verify that stem cells have maintained pluripotency. Since stem cells differentiate into the three primary germ layers and into differentiated tissue, antibodies can monitor their changing expression patterns. BD Lyoplate™ Cell Surface Marker Screening Panels provide a powerful method for discovering surface marker signatures that can be used to explore these cells in depth.

 

BD Biosciences offers a diverse set of tools, including high-quality antibodies, kits and cocktails, buffers, protocols, and instrumentation to support stem cell research, for characterizing, analyzing and sorting heterogeneous stem cell populations.

References

  1. Zakrzewski W, Dobrzyński M, Szymonowicz M, Rybak Z. Stem cells: past, present, and future. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2019;10(1):68. doi:10.1186/s13287-019-1165-5

  2. Takahashi K, Yamanaka S. Induction of pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic and adult fibroblast cultures by defined factors. Cell. 2006;126(4):663-676. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.07.024

  3. Uccelli A, Moretta L, Pistoia V. Mesenchymal stem cells in health and disease. Nature Rev Immunol. 2008; 8(9):726-736. doi: 10.1038/nri2395

  4. Vizoso FJ, Eiro N, Cid S, Schneider J, Perez-Fernandez R. Mesenchymal stem cell secretome: Toward cell-free therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(9):1852. doi: 10.3390/ijms18091852

  5. Boulais PE, Frenette PS. Making sense of hematopoietic stem cell niches. Blood. 2015;125(17):2621-2629. doi:10.1182/blood-2014-09-570192

  6. Ferraro F, Celso CL, Scadden D. Adult stem cels and their niches. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2010;695:155-168. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-7037-4_11

  7. Cable J, Fuchs E, Weissman I, et al. Adult stem cells and regenerative medicine-a symposium report. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2020;1462(1):27-36. doi:10.1111/nyas.14243

     

Surface Staining
Down Arrow
Intracellular Staining
Down Arrow
Screening
Down Arrow
Resources
Down Arrow

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Accutase is a trademark of Innovative Cell Technologies Corporation.

BD flow cytometers are Class 1 Laser Products.