Su Zhengbing, Dong Hui, Fang Xiang, Zhang Wenli, Duan Hong
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Front Genet. 2025 Apr 28;16:1583391. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1583391. eCollection 2025.
Stem cell research has significantly transformed regenerative medicine, with pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) serving as the cornerstone for disease modeling, drug screening, and therapeutic applications. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exhibit unparalleled self-renewal and tri-lineage differentiation, while induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) bypass ethical constraints through somatic cell reprogramming. Clinical trials highlight the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in osteoarthritis and graft-versus-host disease, which leverage their immunomodulatory and paracrine effects. Despite advancements, challenges persist: iPSCs face epigenetic instability and tumorigenic risks, and adult stem cells struggle with inefficient differentiation. This paper systematically reviews stem cell source classification, differentiation regulatory mechanisms, cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, and explores field-specific controversies (e.g., epigenetic stability of iPSCs) and future directions (e.g., integration of organoids and biomaterials). By analyzing current progress and challenges, it provides a multidimensional perspective for stem cell research.
干细胞研究显著改变了再生医学，多能干细胞（PSC）成为疾病建模、药物筛选及治疗应用的基石。胚胎干细胞（ESC）展现出无与伦比的自我更新能力和三系分化能力，而诱导多能干细胞（iPSC）通过体细胞重编程绕过了伦理限制。临床试验凸显了间充质干细胞（MSC）在骨关节炎和移植物抗宿主病中的潜力，这得益于其免疫调节和旁分泌作用。尽管取得了进展，但挑战依然存在：iPSC面临表观遗传不稳定性和致瘤风险，而成体干细胞则存在分化效率低下的问题。本文系统综述了干细胞来源分类、分化调控机制、CRISPR/Cas9等前沿技术，并探讨了该领域特有的争议（如iPSC的表观遗传稳定性）和未来方向（如类器官与生物材料的整合）。通过分析当前的进展和挑战，为干细胞研究提供了多维度视角。
