Here, progenitor cells called pericytes which hug the tiny blood vessels transform into mesenchymal stem cells, which themselves can then transform into various more differentiated cells, such as myocytes (to make muscle) or chondrocytes (to make cartilage).
Here, progenitor cells called pericytes which hug the tiny blood vessels transform into mesenchymal stem cells, which themselves can then transform into various more differentiated cells, such as myocytes (to make muscle) or chondrocytes (to make cartilage).
The value of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
Isolated from various adult tissues, mesenchymal stem cells cannot differentiate into all types of cells, but can differentiate into several types of cells belonging to our skeletal tissues, such as cartilage, bone and fat. Besides this multilineage potential, MSCs secrete chemicals that regulate the microenvironment of tissues - this is called immunomodulation - and they can secrete anti-inflammatory substances as well.