The Molecular Nature of Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells in Adult Tissues.
10.15283/ijsc.2014.7.2.55
- Author:
Yonghwan KIM
1
;
Jaeho JEONG
;
Hyunsook KANG
;
Jisun LIM
;
Jinbeom HEO
;
Janina RATAJCZAK
;
Mariusz Z RATAJCZAK
;
Dong Myung SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. d0shin03@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
VSEL;
PGC;
Genomic Imprinting;
DNA Methylation;
Pluripotency
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Aging;
Antigens, CD15;
Bone Marrow;
DNA Methylation;
Embryonic Structures;
Genomic Imprinting;
Human Body;
Humans;
Pluripotent Stem Cells;
Regenerative Medicine;
Rejuvenation;
Stem Cells*
- From:International Journal of Stem Cells
2014;7(2):55-62
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been considered as the most important cells in regenerative medicine as they are able to differentiate into all types of cells in the human body. PSCs have been established from several sources of embryo tissue or by reprogramming of terminally differentiated adult tissue by transduction of so-called Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and cMyc). Interestingly, accumulating evidence has demonstrated the residence of PSCs in adult tissue and with the ability to differentiate into multiple types of tissue-committed stem cells (TCSCs). We also recently demonstrated that a population of pluripotent Oct4(+) SSEA-1(+)Sca-1(+)Lin-CD45(-) very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) resides in the adult murine bone marrow (BM) and in other murine tissue. These very small (~3-6 microm) cells express pluripotent markers such as Oct4, Nanog, and SSEA-1. VSELs could be specified into several tissue-residing TCSCs in response to tissue/organ injury, and thus suggesting that these cells have a physiological role in the rejuvenation of a pool of TCSCs under steady-state conditions. In this review article, we discuss the molecular nature of the rare population of VSELs which have a crucial role in regulating the pluripotency, proliferation, differentiation, and aging of these cells.
