Coexistence of quiescent and active adult stem cells in mammals

Science. 2010 Jan 29;327(5965):542-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1180794.

Abstract

Adult stem cells are crucial for physiological tissue renewal and regeneration after injury. Prevailing models assume the existence of a single quiescent population of stem cells residing in a specialized niche of a given tissue. Emerging evidence indicates that both quiescent (out of cell cycle and in a lower metabolic state) and active (in cell cycle and not able to retain DNA labels) stem cell subpopulations may coexist in several tissues, in separate yet adjoining locations. Here, we summarize these findings and propose that quiescent and active stem cell populations have separate but cooperative functional roles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage
  • Hair Follicle / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology
  • Mammals / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Stem Cell Niche