Stem cell niches in animal development and adulthood. Topics in animal and plant development: from cell differentiation to morphogenesis

Abstract

Stem cell niches are able to maintain stable populations of stem cells allowing stem cell self-renewal and the production of differentiating progeny. Niches create a permissive environment for self-renewal by providing physical support and signals to resident stem cells. Niche-maintained stem cells support organogenesis, tissue remodelling and tissue homeostasis by replacing cells lost through natural cell death or injury. In this chapter we examine the importance of stem cell niches for the preservation of adult tissues and review the molecular mechanisms involved in niche-dependent stem cell maintenance in animals.