Blood Adult Stem Cell: Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adults

Adult stem cells are defined as undifferentiated, self-renewing cells that can further differentiate into needed cell types. Maintenance and restoration of tissue types necessitates these stem cells, especially in adult organisms that accrue tissue damage over time. Among the major adult stem cell types are hematopoietic, mesenchymal, and endothelial cells. These cell types occupy a major portion of adult stem cell research, as the actual origins of these cells are not yet fully understood. Even so, exploitation of adult stem cell technology has already led to years of successful bone marrow (adult hematopoietic stem cells) transplant, and paved the way for clinical testing of stem cell therapy. Controlled differentiation of these adult stem cells may hold the key for advanced stem cell transplantation.