Stem Cells in Tissue Homeostasis and Regeneration

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on stem cells, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration.

Tissue homeostasis

A dynamic equilibrium maintained through constant production and loss of cells.

Epidermis

The outer layer of skin formed by epithelial tissue that undergoes frequent mitosis.

Stem cell characteristics

Stem cells can either remain undifferentiated or differentiate into specialized cells after several divisions.

Progenitor cells

Transit-amplifying cells produced by stem cells that divide limited times before differentiating.

Multipotent stem cells

Stem cells capable of producing multiple types of differentiated cells.

Lgr5

A G-protein coupled receptor expressed by certain stem cells in the gut.

Goblet cells

Cells that secrete mucus in the gut, providing a protective coating to the epithelium.

Paneth cells

Cells that secrete cryptdins and growth factors, playing a role in gut immunity.

Cell lineage tracing

A method using transgenic animals to track stem cells and their progeny.

Cre recombinase

An enzyme activated by tamoxifen in transgenic systems to study cell differentiation.

Hematopoietic stem cells

Multipotent stem cells that can reconstitute the entire blood system.

Niche environment

The specialized microenvironment that supports stem cell self-renewal and differentiation.

Asymmetric division

A type of stem cell division where one daughter cell retains stem cell identity and the other differentiates.

Symmetric division

A type of stem cell division where both daughter cells remain stem cells.

Differentiation

The process by which a stem cell commits to a specific cell type, often influenced by environmental signals.

Notch signaling

A cell contact-dependent mechanism that helps maintain stem cell identity.

Cell fate determination

The process by which daughter cells decide to remain stem cells or differentiate, influenced by local environment or stochastic factors.

Epithelial cell migration

The movement of epithelial cells from the crypts to the villi in the gut, a part of tissue renewal.