Human mesenchymal stem cells in contact with their environment: surface characteristics and the integrin system

• Published in: Journal of cellular and molecular medicine Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 21 - 38
• Main Authors: Docheva, Denitsa, Popov, Cvetan, Mutschler, Wolf, Schieker, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2007; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Antibodies; Antigens; Bone marrow; Cell Adhesion; Cell adhesion molecules; Cell culture; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Cell migration; Cell surface; Cytology; differentiation; Environment; focal adhesions; Genetic transformation; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Integrins; Integrins - physiology; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - physiology; Models, Biological; Molecular modelling; Reviews; Stains & staining; Stem cells; tissue engineering; Tissue Engineering - methods; tumorigenesis; United States > US; Texas; Germany
• ISSN: 1582-1838; 1582-4934
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2007.00001.x

•  Mesenchymal stem cells and their clinical relevance ‐  Alternative names and criteria to define MSCs ‐  Tissue sources ‐  Some ‘good’ and ‘bad’ sides of MSCs •  Integrins and their importance ‐  The integrin receptors ‐  Focal adhesions and their molecular composition ‐  Integrins affect cell morphology, migration, proliferation, differentiation and survival ‐  Consequences of integrin dysregulation ‐  Different focal adhesions in 2D versus 3D culture •  Cell surface molecules on MSCs •  Integrin system of MSCs •  Engagement of integrins in MSC differentiation, attachment to coating materials, survival on scaffolds and neoplastic transformation ‐  Osteogenic differentiation ‐  Chondrogenic differentiation ‐  Attachment to scaffold materials ‐  Neoplastic transformation •  Conclusions The identification of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in adult human tissues and the disclosure of their self‐renew‐al and multi‐lineage differentiation capabilities have provided exciting prospects for cell‐based regeneration and tis‐sue engineering. Although a considerable amount of data is available describing MSCs, there is still lack of information regarding the molecular mechanisms that govern their adhesion and migration. In this work, we will review the current state of knowledge on integrins and other adhesion molecules found to be expressed on MSCs. The dis‐cussed topics include the characteristics of MSCs and their clinical applications, integrins and their central role in cell‐matrix attachment and migration, and comments on mobilization, differentiation and contribution to tumour development. Finally, by understanding the complex and fundamental pathways by which MSCs attach and migrate, it might be possible to fine‐tune the strategies for effective and safe use of MSCs in regenerative therapies.