Tissue Regeneration with Somatic Stem Cells

Overview

Somatic or adult stem cells, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of self-renewal but demonstrate a restricted differentiation potential. Nonetheless, these cells are crucial to homeostatic processes and play an important role in tissue repair. By studying and manipulating this cell population, scientist may be able to develop new regenerative therapies for injuries and diseases.

This video first defines somatic stem cells, and then explores the role these cells play in tissue regeneration. This is emphasized in a description of a protocol that isolates muscle satellite cells and uses them to repair muscle damage in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy. Finally, we discuss specific tissue regeneration studies utilizing somatic stem cells.

Procedure

Somatic stem cells play an important role in the maintenance and repair of a wide range of tissues. These stem cells, like their parent embryonic stem cells, are capable of nearly unlimited self-renewal. However, unlike embryonic stem cells, which can differentiate into a wide range of cell types, somatic stem cells arise later in development, and their fates are restricted to cells of a specific organ.

This video will cover the principles of tissue regeneration, how scientists study the role of somatic stem cells