Human bone marrow-derived stem cells acquire epithelial characteristics through fusion with gastrointestinal epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types and are a potential source for epithelial tissue repair. Several studies have demonstrated their ability to repopulate the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in bone marrow transplanted patients or in animal models of gastrointestinal carcinogenesis where they were the source of epithelial cancers. However, mechanism of MSC epithelial differentiation still remains unclear and controversial with trans-differentiation or fusion events being evoked. This study aimed to investigate the ability of MSC to acquire epithelial characteristics in the particular context of the gastrointestinal epithelium and to evaluate the role of cell fusion in this process. In vitro coculture experiments were

SUBMITTER: Ferrand J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3088703 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature