Mesenchymal: Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adults

Mesenchymal stem cells and progenitor cells, in adults, are both undifferentiated cells capable of becoming a specific target cell. Mesenchymal stem cells were discovered about 20 years ago and are located throughout the body. They are found primarily in tissues such as bone marrow, blood, and adipose. Mesenchymal stem cells have been characterized to be multipotent cells that can differentiate into multiple tissue-forming cells, for instance, osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and many others. Osteoblasts are cells that produce and maintain bone tissue, adipocytes form adipose or fat useful for regeneration, and mesenchymal stem cells regulate immune and inflammatory responses. This allows for mesenchymal stem cells to have potential in treating diseases or conditions that cause inflammatory responses or that include degeneration of tissues.