Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells are splendid cell sources for tissue
engineering and regenerative medicine attributed to the unique hematopoietic-support
and immunomodulatory properties as well as the multi-dimensional differentiation
potential towards adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes in vitro and in vivo. To
date, MSCs have been identified from various approaches, such as perinatal tissues,
and adult tissues, and even derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs).
Longitudinal studies have indicated the ameliorative effect and therapeutic efficacy
upon a variety of refractory and recurrent disorders such as acute-on-chronic liver
failure (ACLF), acute myeloid leukemia (ACLF), premature ovarian failure (POF), and
intractable wounds. To date, MSCs have been a to have various origins, including
mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm. In this chapter, we mainly focus on the concepts,
and biological and therapeutic properties of MSCs, together with the standardizations
for industrial transformation. Overall, the descriptions would help promote a better understanding of MSCs in disease pathogenesis and management and benefit the
preclinical and clinical applications in the future.
Keywords: Adipocytes, Biological features, Chondrocytes, Classification, Cytotherapy, Definition, Human pluripotent stem cells, Immunomodulation, Industrialization, Molecular mechanism, Multi-dimensional differentiation, Osteoblasts, Preclinical and clinical applications, Refractory and recurrent disorders, Regenerative medicine, Safety and efficacy, Secretion, Standardization, Stem cells, Tissue engineering.