Out of the niche: exploring unknown pathways

Abstract

In May 2014, approximately 200 stem cell scientists from all over world gathered near Copenhagen in Denmark to participate in 'The Stem Cell Niche', part of the Copenhagen Bioscience Conferences series. The meeting covered an array of different stem cell systems from pluripotent stem cells and germ cells to adult stem cells of the lung, liver, muscle, bone and many more. In addition to the stem cell niche, the meeting focused on a number of cutting edge topics such as cell fate transitions and lineage reprogramming, as well as stem cells in ageing and disease, including cancer. This Meeting review describes the exciting work that was presented and some of the themes that emerged from this excellent meeting.

Apoptosis in the aging liver

“…The specialized microenvironments in which LSPCs reside are called niches, which exchange signals with them to promote cell maintenance and determine cell fate. As niches appear to regulate most of the key functions of stem cells [ 81 ], niche cell aging and age-related alterations in the extracellular material in niches can impede stem cell proliferation and differentiation [ 82 ]. Oertel et al transplanted fetal LSPCs into normal adult rat livers, which stimulated normal liver reconstitution and increased apoptosis in neighboring host hepatocytes [ 83 ].…”