Adult stem cell niches for tissue homeostasis. Issue 1 (25th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mannino, Giuliana; Russo, Cristina; Maugeri, Grazia; Musumeci, Giuseppe; Vicario, Nunzio; Tibullo, Daniele; Giuffrida, Rosario; Parenti, Rosalba; Lo Furno, Debora
• Is Part Of: Journal of cellular physiology. Volume 237:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 239
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2021-08-25
• Subjects: bone marrow -- central nervous system -- heart -- skeletal muscle -- skin -- stem cell niches -- tissue homeostasis; Physiology -- Periodicals; Cell physiology -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30562
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9541

Abstract

Abstract: Adult stem cells are fundamental to maintain tissue homeostasis, growth, and regeneration. They reside in specialized environments called niches. Following activating signals, they proliferate and differentiate into functional cells that are able to preserve tissue physiology, either to guarantee normal turnover or to counteract tissue damage caused by injury or disease. Multiple interactions occur within the niche between stem cell‐intrinsic factors, supporting cells, the extracellular matrix, and signaling pathways. Altogether, these interactions govern cell fate, preserving the stem cell pool, and regulating stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Based on their response to body needs, tissues can be largely classified into three main categories: tissues that even in normal conditions are characterized by an impressive turnover to replace rapidly exhausting cells (blood, epidermis, or intestinal epithelium); tissues that normally require only a basal cell replacement, though able to efficiently respond to increased tissue needs, injury, or disease (skeletal muscle); tissues that are equipped with less powerful stem cell niches, whose repairing ability is not able to overcome severe damage (heart or nervous tissue). The purpose of this review is to describe the main characteristics of stem cell niches in these different tissues, highlighting the various components influencing stem cell activity. Although much has been done, more work is needed to further increase our knowledge of niche interactions. This would be important not only to shed light on this fundamental chapter of human physiology but also to help the development of cell‐based strategies for clinical therapeutic applications, especially when other approaches fail. Abstract : Adult stem cells reside in specialized environments called niches, where they may be kept quiescent or differentiate into functional cells preserving the tissue homeostasis. This review describes the main characteristics of stem cell niches in different tissues, highlighting the various components that influence stem cell activity. Improving our knowledge of niche interactions is important in the field of human physiology, which would also help to develop cell‐based strategies for clinical therapeutic applications.