| Stem Cell Glossary |
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Allogenic Stem Cells: Stem cells that are harvested from another individual and re-implanted into a patient. Differentiated Cells (DCs): A differentiated cell (DC) (i.e., parenchyma or stroma) is derived from a single cell, has a lifespan limited to less than 50 population doublings, and is a functioning portion of the tissue. Progenitor Cells (PCs): A progenitor cell (PC) is derived from a single cell, it has a defined biological clock of 50-70 population doublings, and is the immediate precursor for adult differentiated cell types. Germ Layer Lineage Stem Cells (GLSCs): A germ layer lineage stem cell (GLSC) is derived from a single cell, it has unlimited proliferation potential and forms all cell types within a single germ layer lineage, i.e., ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Pluripotent Stem Cells (PSCs): A pluripotent stem cell (PSC) is derived from a single cell, it has unlimited proliferation potential, it can form multiple cell types from all three germ layer lineages, but cannot produce gametes (sperm or ova) or placenta cells. Totipotent Stem Cells (TSCs): A totipotent stem cell (TSC) is derived from a single cell, it has unlimited proliferation potential, it can form multiple cell types from all three germ layer lineages, and it can produce gametes (sperm & ova) and placental cells. Hematopoietic: Blood forming, multipotent (capable of forming multiple types of blood cell types) stem cells with long-term and short-term regeneration capacities. Examples of hematopoietic stem cells include bone marrow or spinal cord (Myeloidial) and lymphoid lineages like T-cells, B-cells, NK-cells, etc. Mesenchymal: Also termed multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, MSC are able to self-renew and differentiate into bone, body fat (adipose) and cartilage tissue. Endodermal: The epithelial lining of the body including the digestive tube, glands which open into the digestive tube gland(liver and pancreas) and other bodily tissues (epithelium). Epidermal: The outer most layer of the skin. Very Small Embryonic Like: Adult bone marrow derived pluripotent stem cells (VSELs), which can differentiate in vitro into several lineages, including cardiac and vascular lineages. Embryonic: Stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of a 4–5 day post fertilization egg (blastocyst) at which time they consist of 50–150 cells. Fetal Tissue: Tissues obtained from therapeutic termination of pregnancies between 8–20 weeks’ of gestation. Cord: Also known as "placental blood," this is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth. |
