Stem cells on the way to restorative medicine

Stem cells are defined by their nique properties of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. Several decades ago, cells with such developmental plasticity have been identified in the embryo and in the bone marrow of the adult: in other organs, such cells could not be demonstrated. Here. recent findings are briefly summarized indicating that the elementary stern cell capabilities are retained by a limited number of cells present in many organs of the adult. other data suggest that, on response to another microenvironment, 'rgan-specific' stem cells are able to acquire differrent fates. If confirmed these findings will have considerable impact on the future of clinical stem cell therapy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.