Stem Cells in Tissue Engineering

The document from 2014 examines various sources of stem cells for tissue engineering, including adult stem cells like mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), adipose stem cells (ASCs), and skin stem cells, as well as embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). It discusses the advantages of each type, such as the ease of obtaining MSCs and ASCs, and the pluripotency of ES cells and iPSCs. However, it also addresses the challenges, including the limited number of adult stem cells that can be harvested, the reduced proliferative capacity of MSCs with age, and the risks associated with iPSCs, such as tumorigenesis and variability. The document highlights the need for ex vivo expansion of adult-derived stem/progenitor cells and advances in reprogramming techniques to ensure clinical efficacy and safety. It concludes that while there are challenges to overcome, further research is necessary to identify the most suitable stem cell sources for specific tissue engineering applications.