Marrow stromal cells as stem cells for nonhematopoietic tissues

DJ Prockop - Science, 1997 - science.org
DJ Prockop
Science, 1997science.org
Marrow stromal cells can be isolated from other cells in marrow by their tendency to adhere
to tissue culture plastic. The cells have many of the characteristics of stem cells for tissues
that can roughly be defined as mesenchymal, because they can be differentiated in culture
into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and even myoblasts. Therefore, marrow stromal
cells present an intriguing model for examining the differentiation of stem cells. Also, they
have several characteristics that make them potentially useful for cell and gene therapy.
Marrow stromal cells can be isolated from other cells in marrow by their tendency to adhere to tissue culture plastic. The cells have many of the characteristics of stem cells for tissues that can roughly be defined as mesenchymal, because they can be differentiated in culture into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and even myoblasts. Therefore, marrow stromal cells present an intriguing model for examining the differentiation of stem cells. Also, they have several characteristics that make them potentially useful for cell and gene therapy.
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