The Role of Stromal Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration and Wound Repair

In the 2009 review, Thaddeus S. Stappenbeck and Hiroyuki Miyoshi explored the role of stromal stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in tissue regeneration and wound repair in mammals. They noted that while the initial acute response to injury is well-understood, the specific cellular mechanisms driving the regenerative phase remain unclear. The authors suggested that stromal stem cells might act similarly to regenerative cells in simpler organisms and could aid in wound repair by differentiating into structural cells or secreting factors that influence the immune system. They also discussed the significance of signaling pathways like Wnt in hair follicle regeneration and Notch in corneal wound healing, although the exact sources and targets of these signals are not fully defined. The review emphasized the need for more research, including lineage tracing and gene knockout studies, to better understand how MSCs contribute to wound healing and their interactions with other cells like macrophages.