Concise Review: The Periosteum: Tapping into a Reservoir of Clinically Useful Progenitor Cells

• Published in: Stem cells translational medicine Vol. 1; no. 6; pp. 480 - 491
• Main Authors: Chang, Hana, Knothe Tate, Melissa L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States AlphaMed Press 01-06-2012; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aging; Biomarkers - metabolism; Bone density; Bone Marrow Cells - cytology; Bone Marrow Cells - metabolism; Bone marrow stromal cells; Bones; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Cell Shape; Chondrogenesis; Clinical translation; Collagen; Composite materials; Data analysis; Defects; Extracellular matrix; Fibroblasts; Humans; Joint surgery; Mesenchyme; Osteogenesis; Periosteum; Periosteum - cytology; Periosteum - metabolism; Population; Prenatal development; Progenitor cells; Regeneration; Regenerative medicine; Regenerative Medicine - methods; Reviews; Stem cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism; Stem/progenitor cell; Studies; Tissue Banks; Tissue Engineering - methods; Tissue regeneration; Tissue-Specific Progenitor and Stem Cells; Tissue-specific stem cells; Translation
• ISSN: 2157-6564; 2157-6580
• DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2011-0056

Elucidation of the periosteum and its regenerative potential has become a hot topic in orthopedics. Yet few review articles address the unique features of periosteum‐derived cells, particularly in light of translational therapies and engineering solutions inspired by the periosteum's remarkable regenerative capacity. This review strives to define periosteum‐derived cells in light of cumulative research in the field; in addition, it addresses clinical translation of current insights, hurdles to advancement, and open questions in the field. First, we examine the periosteal niche and its inhabitant cells and the key characteristics of these cells in the context of mesenchymal stem cells and their relevance for clinical translation. We compare periosteum‐derived cells with those derived from the marrow niche in in vivo studies, addressing commonalities as well as features unique to periosteum cells that make them potentially ideal candidates for clinical application. Thereafter, we review the differentiation and tissue‐building properties of periosteum cells in vitro, evaluating their efficacy in comparison with marrow‐derived cells. Finally, we address a new concept of banking periosteum and periosteum‐derived cells as a novel alternative to currently available autogenic umbilical blood and perinatal tissue sources of stem cells for today's population of aging adults who were “born too early” to bank their own perinatal tissues. Elucidating similarities and differences inherent to multipotent cells from distinct tissue niches and their differentiation and tissue regeneration capacities will facilitate the use of such cells and their translation to regenerative medicine.
Periosteum‐derived cells are defined and current insights, hurdles to advancement, clinical translation, and open questions are addressed to show similarities and differences of multipotent cells from distinct tissue niches. Differentiation and tissue regeneration capacities will facilitate the use of such cells and their translation to regenerative medicine.