Nestin-expressing progenitor cells: function, identity and therapeutic implications.

ABSTRACT: The neuroepithelial stem cell protein, or Nestin, is a cytoskeletal intermediate filament initially characterized in neural stem cells. However, current extensive evidence obtained in in vivo models and humans shows presence of Nestin⁺ cells with progenitor and/or regulatory functions in a number of additional tissues, remarkably bone marrow. This review presents the current knowledge on the role of Nestin in essential stem cell functions, including self-renewal/proliferation, differentiation and migration, in the context of the cytoskeleton. We further discuss the available in vivo models for the study of Nestin⁺ cells and their progeny, their function and elusive nature in nervous system and bone marrow, and their potential mechanistic role and promising therapeutic

SUBMITTER: Bernal A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5948302 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature