成体干细胞的横向分化及其可能的机制

Transdifferentiation of adult stem cells and its possible mechanisms

传统的观点认为成体组织中的干细胞,只能定向分化为其所在组织中的某个或某些特定的细胞,其发育潜能具有限制性。近年来随着研究的深入,许多研究者对这一观点提出了质疑,认为成体干细胞的分化潜能远比先前认为的更为广泛,并将之称为干细胞的横向分化。本文综述了几种成体干细胞的横向分化及其可能的机制。

Traditionally, stem cells in adult tissues were believed to be restricted in their differentiation potential and limited to generate the types of cells present in the tissue in which the stem cell resides. Recently, however, the validity of this understanding has been challenged by evidence that adult stem cells may display a broader differentiation potential, termed transdifferentiation or plasticity, than what was previously thought. In this review, we present some of the evidence for stem cell plasticity and possible explanations for these findings.