A parenchymal niche regulates pluripotent stem cell function in planarians.

ABSTRACT: Harnessing the extraordinary potential of stem cells requires exquisite control in vitro, in vivo, and in the context of potential therapies. Adult stem cells are commonly housed within a microenvironment, or niche, that supplies signals to regulate stem cell function. It has been difficult to determine whether pluripotent stem cells have a similar endogenous niche due to the transient nature of the cell type in most animal species. We sought to establish the nature of a pluripotent stem cell niche using planarian flatworms, animals that maintain pluripotent stem cells throughout adulthood and use them for whole-body regeneration. We characterized the cellular microenvironment of planarian stem cells in detail, finding that each stem cell is surrounded by a diverse mixture of other stem ce

SUBMITTER: Settles SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12324467 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature