Korean J Gastroenterol.  2011 Sep;58(3):125-132. 10.4166/kjg.2011.58.3.125.

Stem Cell Properties of Therapeutic Potential

• Seo GS

• KMID: 1018399
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2011.58.3.125

Abstract

Stem cell research is a innovative technology that focuses on using undifferentiated cells able to self-renew through the asymmetrical or symmetrical divisions. Three types of stem cells have been studied in laboratory including embryonic stem cell, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass and it can give rise to any fetal or adult cell type. Adult stem cells are multipotent, have the ability to differentiate into a limited number of specialized cell types, and have been obtained from the bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, placenta and adipose tissue. Stem cell therapy is the most promising therapy for several degenerative and devastating diseases including digestive tract disease such as liver failure, inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac sprue, and pancreatitis. Further understanding of biological properties of stem cells will lead to safe and successful stem cell therapies.

Keyword

Pluripotent stem cell; Multipotent; Digestive tract disease; Stem cell properties

MeSH Terms

Adult Stem Cells/cytology/metabolism/transplantation
Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology/metabolism/transplantation
Humans
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology/metabolism/transplantation
Stem Cells/*cytology/metabolism

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Structure of the hepatic lobule. The portal triad consists of bile ducts, hepatic artery, and portal vein.50 Mixed blood from the hepatic artery and portal vein flows past hepatocytes through the sinusoids, covered with fenestrated endothelial cells to the central vein. Bile produced by the hepatocytes is collected in the bile canaliculus and flows towards the bile duct. The Canal of Hering is the junction between the hepatic plate and the bile ducts. This is the region where oval cell precursors reside.50

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  Fig. 2. Schematic image indicating the coordinate maturation of the epithelia (parenchymal cells) and their mesenchymal partners and some of the identified extracellular matrix components found at the particular lineage stages.50 Not shown in the figure are the soluble signals that also are lineage dependent. Some of the lineage dependent soluble signals identified are noted in parentheses beside the lineage stage at which they are found: hepatic stem cells (LIF, IL-6, IL-11, and acetylcholine); hepatoblasts (HGF, EGF, β FGF, IL-6, IL-11, and acetyl-choline); hepatocytes (HGF, EGF, β FGF, T3, glucagon, and hydrocor-tisone); cholangiocytes (VEGF, HGF, β FGF and acetylcholine).50

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  Fig. 3. Signaling events during the hepatic oval cell response.50 A time line representing the stages of oval cell activation, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The factors that are involved in each stage of the response are listed at the bottom.56 LIF, Leukemia inhibitory factor; OSM, Oncostatin M.

Reference

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