A review on the molecular basis of stemness of mesenchymal stem cells

Gayatri Jayendran Nair *, Yashwi Sinha, Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, Narendra S Kumar and Lingayya Hiremath

Department of Biotechnology, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – 560059.
 
Review
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2023, 15(02), 202–207.
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjbphs.2023.15.2.0362
Publication history: 
Received on 11 July 2023; revised on 18 August 2023; accepted on 21 August 2023
 
Abstract: 
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly becoming the focal point of research in regenerative medicine due to their potential to differentiate into several different lineages including those of non-mesodermal origin. With several reports of successful differentiation of MSCs into several different cell types such as osteocytes, chondrocytes, cardiocytes and even fully functional neurons, it is more important than ever to understand the stemness of these cells at a molecular level. While no stemness gene has been identified that is unique to MSCs, there have been speculations that the stemness of MSCs is maintained similarly to that of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). This review takes a look at four genes, namely, NANOG, OCT4, SOX2 & KLF4, and their role in maintaining the stemness of MSCs. These genes are significant for the stemness of ESCs & therefore, could play a role in MSCs as well.
 
Keywords: 
Mesenchymal Stem Cells; NANOG; OCT4; SOX2; KLF4; Stemness; MSCs
 
Full text article in PDF: