Sources and culture strategies of adult stem cells

Abstract

Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells, which are found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ that can renew itself and can differentiate to yield some or all of the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary roles of adult stem cells found in various parts of adult body are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Adult stem cells have been identified in many organs and tissues, including brain, bone marrow, peripheral blood, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, skin, teeth, heart, gut, liver, ovarian epithelium and testis. The non-controversial use of adult stem cells as against embryonic stem cells coupled with their plasticity make them an attractive alternative for researchers. This article reviews the various types and sources of adult stem cells along with strategies for their culture.

Keywords

• adult stem cells
• multipotent
• bone marrow
• haematopoietic stem cells
• hnt cells