multipotent adult progenitor cell (MAPC)

Introduction

Cells found in the bone marrow of adult rodents which may differentiate into cells of any embryonic origin, including those of the:

• mesoderm
• neuroectoderm
• endoderm

These cells are similar to more common mesenchymal stem cells in appearance & in markers that the express.

In vitro, the MAPC can proliferate through 80 population doublings similar to embryonic stem cells.

The MAPC when transplanted into immunocompetent hosts, homed to different organs & differentiated into tissues specific to those organs, including:

• blood
• liver
• intestines
• lung

MAPC transplanted into immunodeficient animals resulted in a greater engraftment.

The transplantation did not result in formation of tumors.

More general terms

• pluripotential stem cell

More specific terms

• induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)