Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) (MSC)

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells found in various tissues, capable of differentiating into bone, cartilage, adipose, muscle, and other cell types. They contribute to tissue repair by responding to injury signals, secreting extracellular matrix components, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles, and modulating the local and systemic environment to support regeneration. MSCs replenish stem cell pools, restore niches, and influence the behavior of differentiated cells via direct cell-cell interaction and paracrine signaling. Their therapeutic promise lies in their plasticity and immune modulatory properties, but efficacy may be limited by poor engraftment, unpredictable differentiation, and safety risks. Molecular mechanisms involve key pathways such as Hedgehog, Wnt, TGFβ, BMP, and FGF, which are targets for experimental drugs designed to enhance MSC function or direct their differentiation[1][2][4].

Other names

mesenchymal stem cellmesenchymal progenitor cellMSCmultipotent mesenchymal cell

Modulation of cell fate decisions via paracrine secretion of growth factors and cytokines[1]; Promotion of stem cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation through activation/inhibition of key signaling pathways (Hedgehog, Wnt, BMP, TGFβ, FGF, EGF)[2][4]; Direct differentiation into target tissue cell types (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, myocytes, hepatocytes, neuronal cells)[1][2][3][4]; Restoration of stem cell niches after injury by replenishing or attracting niche components[1]