Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into various types of specialized cells. They are found in various tissues throughout the body and serve as a source of replacement cells for damaged or injured tissues.
There are several types of stem cells:
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Embryonic stem cells: These are derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst, a stage in early embryonic development. They have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
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Pluripotent stem cells: These are similar to embryonic stem cells, but are generated in a laboratory setting. They also have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
- Induced pluripotent stem cells: These are adult cells that have been reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. They have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. Acorn has successfully created iPSCs with the cells found in the hair follicle.
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Mesenchymal stem cells: These are found in various sources, and are t type of stem cell found in the hair follicle. They have the ability to differentiate into cells of mesenchymal origin, such as osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes.
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Tissue-specific stem cells: These are stem cells that are found in specific tissues and have the ability to differentiate into cells of that tissue type. Examples include hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and neural stem cells in the brain.
In the hair follicle niche, stem cells are found at the base of the hair follicle and are responsible for the regenerative capacity of the hair follicle and contribute to wound healing in other areas of the body.