Mesenchymal stem cells: Emerging mechanisms of immunomodulation and therapy

Figure 1 Basic properties of mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of stromal cells thought to be derived from pericytes. These cells are defined by self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into the mesodermal cells (solid lines): adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteocytes, and connective tissue cells. Though controversial (dotted lines), they may also transdifferentiate into cells of the endoderm (lung, muscle, and gut epithelial cells) and of the ectoderm (neurons and epithelial cells). Adapted from ref [22].