Biology and clinical utilization of mesenchymal progenitor cells

Within the complex cellular arrangement found in the bone marrow stroma the re exists a subset of nonhematopoietic cells referred to as mesenchymal pro genitor cells (MPC). These cells can be expanded ex vivo and induced, eithe r in vitro or in vivo, to terminally differentiate into at least seven type s of cells: osteocytes, chondrocytes, adipocytes, tenocytes, myotubes, astr ocytes and hematopoietic-supporting stroma. This broad multipotentiality, t he feasibility to obtain MPC from bone marrow, cord and peripheral blood an d their transplantability support the impact that the use of MPC will have in clinical settings. However, a number of fundamental questions about the cellular and molecular biology of MPC still need to be resolved before thes e cells can be used for safe and effective cell and gene therapies intended to replace, repair or enhance the physiological function of the mesenchyma l and/or hematopoietic systems.