Key result
Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), confirmed in adult tissues by at least 20 laboratories, can differentiate across germ layers and may serve as an alternative to ESCs and iPSCs.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Results from at least 20 independent laboratories indicate that adult tissues contain rare, early-development stem cells known as very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), which can differentiate into cells from more than one germ layer. Further research on these cells may provide a path forward to application of these cells in regenerative medicine that perhaps may solve several problems inherent in the use of controversial embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and somehow problematic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ratajczak et al. (2019) reported a review. Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) vs. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was evaluated. Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), confirmed in adult tissues by at least 20 laboratories, can differentiate across germ layers and may serve as an alternative to ESCs and iPSCs.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: