Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine

Evidence has accumulated that adult tissues contain a population of early development stem cells capable of differentiating across germ layers into various types of cells. Our group purified these rare cells, naming them very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). With their broad differentiation...

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Main Authors: Kannathasan Thetchinamoorthy, Justyna Jarczak, Patrycja Kieszek, Diana Wierzbicka, Janina Ratajczak, Magdalena Kucia, Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1564964/full
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author Kannathasan Thetchinamoorthy
Justyna Jarczak
Patrycja Kieszek
Diana Wierzbicka
Janina Ratajczak
Magdalena Kucia
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
author_facet Kannathasan Thetchinamoorthy
Justyna Jarczak
Patrycja Kieszek
Diana Wierzbicka
Janina Ratajczak
Magdalena Kucia
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
author_sort Kannathasan Thetchinamoorthy
collection DOAJ
description Evidence has accumulated that adult tissues contain a population of early development stem cells capable of differentiating across germ layers into various types of cells. Our group purified these rare cells, naming them very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). With their broad differentiation potential, VSELs have emerged as a new candidate population for clinical applications. This advancement is now possible due to our recent development of a model for ex vivo expansion of these rare cells. Importantly, no evidence suggests that VSELs, isolated from adult tissues, can form teratomas. In this review paper, we update current research on these cells reported in our laboratory as well as in those of several independent investigators.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
spelling doaj-art-2776c3e20b4843f1b48ffe0a8fdd35062025-08-20T02:58:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-03-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15649641564964Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicineKannathasan Thetchinamoorthy0Justyna Jarczak1Patrycja Kieszek2Diana Wierzbicka3Janina Ratajczak4Magdalena Kucia5Mariusz Z. Ratajczak6Mariusz Z. Ratajczak7Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandStem Cell Institute at Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, CO, United StatesLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, PolandStem Cell Institute at Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, CO, United StatesEvidence has accumulated that adult tissues contain a population of early development stem cells capable of differentiating across germ layers into various types of cells. Our group purified these rare cells, naming them very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). With their broad differentiation potential, VSELs have emerged as a new candidate population for clinical applications. This advancement is now possible due to our recent development of a model for ex vivo expansion of these rare cells. Importantly, no evidence suggests that VSELs, isolated from adult tissues, can form teratomas. In this review paper, we update current research on these cells reported in our laboratory as well as in those of several independent investigators.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1564964/fullpluripotent stem cellstissue organ regenerationvery small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs)embryonic stem cellsinduced pluripotent stem cells
spellingShingle Kannathasan Thetchinamoorthy
Justyna Jarczak
Patrycja Kieszek
Diana Wierzbicka
Janina Ratajczak
Magdalena Kucia
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
pluripotent stem cells
tissue organ regeneration
very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs)
embryonic stem cells
induced pluripotent stem cells
title Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
title_full Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
title_fullStr Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
title_full_unstemmed Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
title_short Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
title_sort very small embryonic like stem cells vsels on the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine
topic pluripotent stem cells
tissue organ regeneration
very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs)
embryonic stem cells
induced pluripotent stem cells
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1564964/full
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