Glossary
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
MSCs are a type of tissue-specific stem cell found in bone marrow, fat, umbilical cord tissue and other tissues that can develop into several types of connective tissue cells, including bone, cartilage and fat cells. They release signals that can affect inflammationThe body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases.inflammationThe body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases., tissue repair and immune responses.
New to stem cell research? Start with our overview of all stem cell types.
Also referred to as mesenchymal stromal cells, MSCs are a type of adult stem cell. Though they cannot become almost any cell type in the body, like pluripotent stem cellsStem cells that can undergo self-renewal and differentiation to become any cell type found in the body. The two major types used in research are embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.pluripotent stem cellsStem cells that can undergo self-renewal and differentiation to become any cell type found in the body. The two major types used in research are embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells., scientists are investigating MSCs’ ability to support tissue maintenance and repair.
In addition to forming connective tissue cells such as bones, cartilage, and fat, MSCs also secrete molecules and extracellular vesiclesParticles naturally released by cells that carry proteins, nucleic acids and other molecules, surrounded by a double layer of lipid (fat) similar to a cell membrane. These vesicles plat a crucial role in intercellular communication, transferring essential molecules between cells.extracellular vesiclesParticles naturally released by cells that carry proteins, nucleic acids and other molecules, surrounded by a double layer of lipid (fat) similar to a cell membrane. These vesicles plat a crucial role in intercellular communication, transferring essential molecules between cells. that can affect surrounding tissue. These secretions are being studied for their potential to reduce inflammationThe body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases.inflammationThe body’s natural response to an injury or infection that occurs when an immune response is triggered to promote healing. However, chronic inflammation — inflammation that happens even when there’s no injury or invader — is an abnormal immune response. Over time, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs and lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmune diseases., encourage repair and improve the effectiveness of cell-based therapies.
Menstrual fluid is an emerging source of MSC-like cells. Stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves.Stem cellsCells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of cells and make an unlimited number of copies of themselves. were first isolated from menstrual blood in 2007, and these menstrual blood-derived stem/stromal cells, often called MenSCs, have properties similar to other MSCs, including the ability to grow in culture and form multiple cell types under laboratory conditions.
In research settings, MSCs are typically identified by a combination of features: they attach to plastic culture dishes, carry certain identifying proteins on their surface and can be coaxed in the lab to form bone, cartilage and fat cells.
