28 – Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adult bone marrow contains mesenchymal progenitor cells that are referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Whether these preparations are composed of a pure population of stem cells or a spectrum of cells ranging from pluripotent stem cells to lineage-committed progenitors, it seems clear that these culture-expanded cells have the impressive potential to be used in tissue engineered regeneration and repair of a variety of tissues. In some cases, like bone nonunions, these cells are capable of differentiating directly into osteogenic cells. In the case of neural systems, these cells appear to provide instructive and inductive microenvironments for facilitated repair of critical lesions. That mesenchymal cells appear to be unusually plastic in their developmental capabilities opens the door for their use in several cell-based therapies.