Heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells: characterization and application in cell therapy
Xingzhi Liu,
Zhihua Zhao,
Zhe Zhao,
Zhongjuan Xu,
Junjun Cao,
Bin Wang,
Guangli Suo
Affiliations
Xingzhi Liu
School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; and CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Zhihua Zhao
CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Zhe Zhao
CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Zhongjuan Xu
School of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; and CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Junjun Cao
Livingchip Lnc., Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Bin Wang
Center for Clinic Stem Cell Research, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Guangli Suo
CAS Key Laboratory of Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown great potentials in regenerative medicine for their low immunogenicity, multilineage differentiation potential, and extensive sources. However, the heterogeneity of MSCs limits their clinical application and industrial prospects. In this review, we introduced the heterogeneity of MSCs in terms of their applications, sources, functions, and surface markers; discussed the major factors leading to the heterogeneity in MSCs; summarized the main approaches to study the MSC heterogeneity, and addressed the clinical challenges resulting from heterogeneity. Finally, we proposed the strategies that might be used to purify the MSCs and to eliminate the heterogeneity of MSCs for their standardized production and reliable clinical application.
