BioInformant

Your Global Leader in Stem Cell Market Research

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Stem Cells
      • HSCs
      • iPS Cells
      • MSCs
      • Neural Stem Cells
      • Adipose SCs
    • Exosomes
    • Cell Therapy
      • CAR-T
    • Cord Blood
    • News
    • Interviews
  • Advertise
  • Shop
  • Company
    • Story
    • Testimonials
    • Submit PR
    • Job Posts
    • Privacy Policy
    • Guarantee
    • Contact
Home » Do You Know The 5 Types Of Stem Cells?
Type of Stem Cell | Do You Know The 5 Types Of Stem Cells

Do You Know The 5 Types Of Stem Cells?

November 7, 2017 By Cade Hildreth (CEO)

*Post also available in: Español العربية 简体中文 हिन्दी Română

The Gold Standard for T Cell Cryopreservation - CryoStor, cGMP Cell Freeze Media

As you start to learn about stem cells, one of the most common questions to have is, “What types of stem cells exist?” There is not an agreed-upon number of stem cell types, because one can classify stem cells either by differentiation potential (what they can turn into) or by origin (from where they are sourced). This post is dedicated to explaining the five types of stem cells, based on differentiation potential.

5 Types of Stem Cells by Differentiation Potential

The five different types of stem cells discussed in this article are:

  • Totipotent (or Omnipotent) Stem Cells
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells
  • Multipotent Stem Cells
  • Oligopotent Stem Cells
  • Unipotent Stem Cells

All stem cells that exist can be classified into one of five groups based on their differentiation potential. Each of these stem cell types is explored in greater detail below.

1. Totipotent (or Omnipotent) Stem Cells

The Rise of Direct Cell Reprogramming | BioInformant https://t.co/q0vwT6CffR#allogeneic #totipotent #pluripotent #multipotent #autologous pic.twitter.com/ycoDP8mYa6

— Todd C Bertsch (@todd_bertsch) February 19, 2018

These stem cells are the most powerful that exist.

They can differentiate into embryonic, as well as extra-embryonic tissues, such as chorion, yolk sac, amnion, and the allantois. In humans and other placental animals, these tissues form the placenta.

The most important characteristic of a totipotent cell is that it can generate a fully-functional, living organism.

The best-known example of a totipotent cell is a fertilized egg (formed when a sperm and egg unite to form a zygote).

It is at or around four days post-fertilization that these cells begin to specialize into pluripotent cells, which as described below are flexible cell types, but cannot produce an entire organism. 

2. Pluripotent Stem Cells

They’re aliveeee!! Turned our human pluripotent stem cells into beating cardio!!! ::happy tears::
Next up crispR KO fun… 👏🏼🔬📓💚 #stemcellscientist #WomenInScience #futureBIOhacker pic.twitter.com/GVg4pb9Xri

— Kristin Pagel (@DeeDeeTroit84) March 31, 2018

The next most powerful type of stem cell is the pluripotent stem cell.

The importance of this cell type is that it can self-renew and differentiate into any of the three germ layers, which are: ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. These three germ layers further differentiate to form all tissues and organs within a human being.

Embryonic Stem Cells

There are several known types of pluripotent stem cells.

Among the natural pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells are the best example. However, a type of “human-made” pluripotent stem cell also exists, which is the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell).

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

iPS cells were first produced from mouse cells in 2006 and human cells in 2007, and are tissue-specific cells that can be reprogrammed to become functionally similar to embryonic stem cells.

Because of their powerful ability to differentiate in a wide diversity of tissues and their non-controversial nature, induced pluripotent stem cells are well-suited for use in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.

3. Multipotent Stem Cells

Did you know that bone marrow contains multipotent stem cells that give rise to all the cells of the blood? pic.twitter.com/NcYJsdPJXi

— caremotto (@caremotto) January 17, 2018

Multipotent stem cells are a middle-range type of stem cell, in that they can self-renew and differentiate into a specific range of cell types.

An excellent example of this cell type is the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC).

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into osteoblasts (a type of bone cell), myocytes (muscle cells), adipocytes (fat cells), and chondrocytes (cartilage cells).

These cells types are fairly diverse in their characteristics, which is why mesenchymal stem cells are classified as multipotent stem cells.

4. Oligopotent Cells

The next type of stem cells, oligopotent cells, are similar to the prior category (multipotent stem cells), but they become further restricted in their capacity to differentiate.

While these cells can self-renew and differentiate, they can only do so to a limited extent. They can only do so into closely related cell types.

An excellent example of this cell type is the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC).

Hematopoietic Stem Cells

HSCs are cells derived from mesoderm that can differentiate into other blood cells. Specifically, HSCs are oligopotent stem cells that can differentiate into both myeloid and lymphoid cells.

Myeloid cells include basophils, dendritic cells, eosinophils, erythrocytes, macrophages, megakaryocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets, while lymphoid cells include B cells, T cells, and natural kills cells.

5. Unipotent Stem Cells

Unipotent Stem Cells | Do You Know The 5 Types Of Stem Cells

Finally, we have the unipotent stem cells, which are the least potent and most limited type of stem cell.

An example of this stem cell type would be muscle stem cells.

Muscle Stem Cells

While muscle stem cells can self-renew and differentiate, they can only do so into a single cell type. They are unidirectional in their differentiation capacity.

Purpose of Classifying the Stem Cell Types

The purpose of these stem cell categories is to assess the functional capacity of stem cells based on their differentiation potential.

Importantly, each category has different stem cell research applications, medical applications, and drug development applications.

Different Types of Stem Cells | Do You Know The 5 Types Of Stem Cells

Watch this video and learn about the 5 types of stem cells:

 

If you found this article valuable, subscribe to BioInformant’s stem cell industry updates.

We are the industry leaders in stem cell research, with research cited by The Wall Street Journal, Xconomy, AABB, and Vogue Magazine. Bringing you breaking news on an ongoing basis, join more than half a million loyal readers, including physicians, scientists, investors, and philanthropists.

In your opinion, which of the following types of stem cells have the best potential to form any tissue type? Mention them in the comments section below.

To learn more, view: Stem Cell Fact Sheet – Types of Stem Cells and their Use in Medicine

1.8 / 5 ( 153 votes )

Filed Under: HSCs, iPS Cells, MSCs, Neural Stem Cells, Stem Cells

Related

About Cade Hildreth (CEO)

Cade Hildreth is the Founder of BioInformant.com, the world's largest publisher of stem cell industry news. Cade is a media expert on stem cells, recently interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, Xconomy, and Vogue Magazine. 

Comments

  1. Henry Norman says

    August 5, 2016 at 4:31 am

    Wikipedia (and this site) say that “totipotent” cells are sometimes called “omnipotent” cells. This sounds crazy to me … What has theology got to do with biology (or cytology)?

    Can someone clarify this issue: In biology (cytology), are “totipotent” and “omnipotent” synonymous terms? And if the answer is “Yes,” since when is this terminology official?

Let’s Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Nanocellect

Aspire

Marathon Products

Cellevate

Perinatal Stem cell Society

Menu
  • Blog
  • News
  • Press Releases
  • Stem Cells
    • HSCs
    • iPS Cells
    • MSCs
    • Neural Stem Cells
    • Adipose SCs
  • Exosomes
  • Cell Therapy
    • CAR-T
  • Cord Blood
  • Interviews

Cart

Featured Posts

Adaptimmune RMAT

Adaptimmune Receives RMAT Designation for ADP-A2M4 for Synovial Sarcoma

Feature | CAR-T Cell Therapy | What You Need To Know

What is CAR-T Cell Therapy? | CAR-T Definition

CAR T Cell Therapy

CAR-T Cell Therapy Attracts Vast Sums of Money

My Tweets

BioInformant's World-Class Clients

  • Submit Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer

Copyright © 2019 · BIOINFORMANT, Your Global Leader in Stem Cell Market Research

| Email: [email protected] | Phone: 703-859-7617 |

800 Corporate Drive, Suite 301, Stafford, VA 22554, United States

Disclaimer: All statements made on this website are NOT expressed as medical claims or advice. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health condition or concern, consult your physician or health care provider.