A review of: Ying QL, Nichols J, Evans EP, Smith AG 2002 Changing potency by spontaneous fusion. Nature 416(6880):545–548

Pluripotent stem cells from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst can differentiate into cells of all three germ layers - the endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. These layers are formed early in embryonic development and pools of more committed stem cells divide and further differentiate into organs and organized mature structures. Dividing progenitor cell populations have been isolated from most adult tissues. Originally, these cells were believed to be committed to differentiate solely into the cells of the tissue from which they were derived. More recently it has emerged that such tissue-derived cells may be more plastic in their differentiation potential and be capable of generating a variety of cell types, and even producing cell types normally derived from a different germ layer - this is know as transdifferentiation. For example, neural stem cells are capable of generating hematopoietic progenitors (1), and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to differentiate into neural phenotypes (2), hepatocytes (3), and myocytes (4).

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account
Continue with Google
Continue with ORCiD