Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation Properties and Available Microenvironment

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have characteristic properties, the expression of which is being determined by the available microenvironment/niche. Extensive ex vivo studies have been conducted, aimed at understanding the effects of various niche based signals on MSCs. Numerous microenvironment cues studied include the cell, chemical and mechanical, and of the topography. The available conducted studies have mostly focused on limited and isolated cues. An ex vivo system is less extensive with more controllability. In contrast, in vivo system exposes them to an uncontrolled environment of numerous simultaneous cues. The ex vivo results of MSCs therefore may not be recapitulated under in vivo environment unless many simaltaneous cues aping in vivo environment are studied. The current chapter focuses on the MSCs fate under various cues in ex vivo system.