Sources and clinical applications of mesenchymal stem cells : state-of-the-art review

• Published in: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 264 - 277
• Main Authors: Berebichez Fridman, Roberto, Montero Olvera, Pablo R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Muscat, Oman Sultan Qaboos University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences 01-08-2018; Sultan Qaboos University; Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, College of Medicine & Health Sciences
• Subjects: Adipocytes; Arthritis; Bone marrow; Embryos; Granulocytes; Medicine; Physiology; Review; Spinal cord; Stem cells; Tissue engineering; Adult Stem Cells; Cell Differentiation; Regenerative Medicine; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Tissue Engineering
• ISSN: 2075-051X; 2075-0528
• DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.002

First discovered by Friedenstein in 1976, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells found
throughout the body that share a fixed set of characteristics. Discovered initially in the bone marrow, this cell
source is considered the gold standard for clinical research, although various other sources—including adipose
tissue, dental pulp, mobilised peripheral blood and birth-derived tissues—have since been identified. Although
similar, MSCs derived from different sources possess distinct characteristics, advantages and disadvantages,
including their differentiation potential and proliferation capacity, which influence their applicability. Hence,
they may be used for specific clinical applications in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
This review article summarises current knowledge regarding the various sources, characteristics and therapeutic
applications of MSCs.