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Cell Fusions pp 277–314Cite as

Cell Fusion and Stem Cells

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Abstract

Differentiation, self-renewal and the ability to readily undergo cell fusion are properties of adult and embryonic stem cells. Spontaneous fusion between stem cells, and fusion of stem cells with various differentiated cell types, has been observed in many in vitro and in vivo contexts. Stem cell fusion is implicated in many crucial functions during normal development and is increasingly being harnessed as a tool for regenerative therapies. Experimentally induced fusion between somatic and stem cells forms the basis for our current understanding of nuclear reprogramming. Additionally, the potential fusion of stem cells with cancer cells may have physiologic contributions to aspects of tumor progression and metastasis. Understanding the mechanisms of stem cell fusion might allow manipulation of these processes to affect tissue regeneration, nuclear reprogramming and cancer chemotherapy. In this chapter we consider the functional consequences of stem cell fusion in development, regeneration and disease and postulate how cell fusion might contribute to the advancement of stem cell therapies in regenerative medicine.

Alain Silk and Anne E. Powell are equally contributed

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Abbreviations

ADAM:

A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease

BMDC:

Bone marrow-derived cell

FAH:

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase

FC:

Founder cell

FCM:

Fusion-competent myoblast

GFP:

Green fluorescent protein

GMP:

Granulocytic macrophage progenitors

iPS cell:

Induced pluripotent stem cell

MSC:

Mesenchymal stem cell

NTBC:

2-(2-Nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Stem Cell Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Alain Silk, Paige S. Davies & Melissa H. Wong

  2. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Anne E. Powell & Melissa H. Wong

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  1. Alain Silk
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  2. Anne E. Powell
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  3. Paige S. Davies
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  4. Melissa H. Wong
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Correspondence to Alain Silk .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Division of Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C, 1870, Denmark

    Lars-Inge Larsson

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Silk, A., Powell, A.E., Davies, P.S., Wong, M.H. (2011). Cell Fusion and Stem Cells. In: Larsson, LI. (eds) Cell Fusions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9772-9_14

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