For example CD44 is a stem cell marker, whereas Vimentin is an EMT marker. Mesenchymal cells are called MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells), then why are there different markers for stem cells and mesenchymal cells?
Hi Adity Pore
A mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is one of the types of stem cells. It is mainly tissue-specific which means it has been isolated from different tissues mainly adult tissues. CD44 is one of the most prominent positive markers for MSCs while others are CD70, CD105, CD90, while negative markers are CD34, HLA-DR. However, the same CD44 is also considered as markers for breast cancer stem cells also.
The difference in markers of stem cells is because of their origin or site of isolation. For example, embryonic stem cells, Induced pluripotent stem cells, etc have different promising markers so those markers are being used for identification.
Now, Vimentin is an EMT marker that describes process within the cells, not cell types while CD surface markers are for cell-type identification markers here more specifically for stem cell identifications.
Yes, vimentin expression also has been analyzed in MSCs but it mostly to understand its characteristics that are fibroblastic nature which determines the EMT process let say cells migration ability which any cell will gain after they leave epithelium and start moving like mesenchymal cells. Vimentin use is not only for MSCs, it can be looked into any cell type, very common in cancer cells study purpose.
The whole concept is moving around the cell identification, characteristics, and processes carried out by any cells. Now, there are specific markers also there as well as overlapping markers are also there. This is because of origin and lineage memory. Please find a few attachments.
https://www.unmc.edu/stemcells/educational-resources/types.html
https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/2001report/appendixE.htm
Article Commonly Used Mesenchymal Stem Cell Markers and Tracking Lab...
I hope it will help you. If I went wrong please do let me know.
Regards
Saurabh
Mesenchymal cells are NOT called MSCs
Mesenchymal Stem Cells are MSCs
MSCs are stem cells in adult tissue.
There are stem cells from Embryo
ESCs- Embryonic stem cells
HESCs- human embryonic stem cells.
iPSCs- experimentally induced stem cells/pluripotent stem cells -
CSCs- Cancer stem cells. These are stem cells in adult tissues. However, not MSCs.
It might lessen the confusion to go back to MSC's former name, Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Everything made sense before they got re-named into stem cells to support increasingly absurd regenerative medicine fundraising pitches.
All MSCs are mesenchymal cells, but not all mesenchymal cells are MSCs. They must have some phenotypic features and properties to be considered MSCs
Today, I think that Mesenchymal stromal cells are more correct than Mesenchymal stem cells.
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