Published online 23 December 2008
Haematologica, Vol 94, Issue 2, 258-263 doi:10.3324/haematol.13699
Copyright © 2009 by Ferrata Storti Foundation
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells: the fibroblasts’ new clothes?

Muzlifah A. Haniffa1,2, Matthew P. Collin1, Christopher D. Buckley3, Francesco Dazzi4

1 Hematological Sciences
2 Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne
3 Rheumatology Research Group, Medical Research Council Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham and
4 Stem Cell Biology Section, Kennedy Institute and Division of Investigative Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK

Correspondence: Francesco Dazzi, Stem Cell Biology Section, Department of Hematology, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. E-mail:f.dazzi{at}imperial.ac.uk

Mesenchymal stem cells are adherent stromal cells, initially isolated from the bone marrow, characterized by their ability to differentiate into mesenchymal tissues such as bone, cartilage and fat. They have also been shown to suppress immune responses in vitro. Because of these properties, mesenchymal stem cells have recently received a very high profile. Despite the dramatic benefits reported in early phase clinical trials, their functions remain poorly understood. Particularly, several questions remain concerning the origin of mesenchymal stem cells and their relationship to other stromal cells such as fibroblasts. Whereas clear gene expression signatures are imprinted in stromal cells of different anatomical origins, the anti-proliferative effects of mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts and their potential to differentiate appear to be common features between these two cell types. In this review, we summarize recent studies in the context of historical and often neglected stromal cell literature, and present the evidence that mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts share much more in common than previously recognized.

Key words: mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, graft-versus-host disease.




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