Sporadic fusion of bone-marrow-derived cells with those of developmentally unrelated structures following transplantation has previously been regarded solely as an artefact, leading to the misinterpretation that cells could 'transdifferentiate'. We now learn that heterotypic cell fusion of myelo-lymphoid cells with non-haematopoietic cells is enhanced during chronic inflammation, raising new questions about the biological significance of this controversial phenomenon.
- Ilyas Singec
- Evan Y. Snyder
