Table 3.
Classification of stem cells according to their plasticity.
| Potentiality | Cell Type | Source | Features and Mature Cell Lineage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Totipotent stem cells | Embryonic stem cell (ESc) | Zygote [159] | A single cell capable of dividing and forming several differentiated cells. Cells including extraembryonic tissues [159]. |
| Pluripotent stem cells | Embryonic stem cell (ESc) | Isolated from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst [160]. |
They give rise to any cell type of the three germ layers. They have the ability to grow indefinitely while maintaining pluripotency [161]. Both types of cells can give rise to teratomas [162]. |
| Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) | Obtained by genetic modification of somatic cells such as fibroblasts, to which specific transcription factors were introduced to induce pluripotency [163]. | ||
| Multipotent stem cells | Adult stem cells | They can be isolated from various tissues, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and dental pulp, among others (e.g.,: mesenchymal cells, hematopoietic cells) [164,165]. | They can give rise to a large number of cell lineages [164]. MSCs have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, antiapoptotic, and trophic properties [165]. |
| Oligopotent stem cells | Adult stem cells | They can be isolated from the blood as myeloid and lymphoid cells. | They can give rise to a limited number of cell types. Lymphoid stem cells can only differentiate into basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and thrombocytes [159]. |
| Unipotent stem cells | Adult stem cells | Epidermal, satellite (SC) | They can give rise to a single cell type. For example, SC are involved in skeletal muscle regeneration and are normally inactive until a stimulus or damage occurs and are activated to trigger the formation of new muscle fibers [166]. |