Stem cells: shibboleths of development, part II: Toward a functional definition.
Stem Cells Dev
; 14(5): 463-9, 2005 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16305331
ABSTRACT
Our previous discourse on stem cell characteristics led to the conclusion that the qualities deemed essential for a cell to be considered a "stem cell" are neither firmly established nor universally accepted, and this we accept as editorial policy. In that study, self-renewal, asymmetric division, phenotypic markers, and other attributes touted as being indicative of cells being stem cells were critically questioned as fundamental to the definition of a stem cell, leading us to seek a functional definition instead. Here, we offer further considerations, and elaborate on the characteristics that diverse investigators feel are essential for a cell to function as a stem cell, either in development or body maintenance. We hope that this discourse will promote further reflection, culminating with a definition that is widely accepted and universally applicable. We confess this goal has not been reached, neither here nor elsewhere. The outstanding goal of understanding what stem cells are, a prerequisite of characterizing what stem cells do and how they do it, is still outstanding.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Células-Tronco
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article