Perspective: Why and How Ubiquitously Distributed, Vascular-Associated, Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Adult Body (vaPS Cells) Are the Next Generation of Medicine

Abstract

A certain cell type can be isolated from different organs in the adult body that can differentiate into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, providing significant support for the existence of a certain type of small, vascular-associated, pluripotent stem cell ubiquitously distributed in all organs in the adult body (vaPS cells). These vaPS cells fundamentally differ from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in that the latter possess the necessary genetic guidance that makes them intrinsically pluripotent. In contrast, vaPS cells do not have this intrinsic genetic guidance, but are able to differentiate into somatic cells of all three lineages under guidance of the microenvironment they are located in, independent from the original tissue or organ where they had resided. These vaPS cells are of high relevance for clinical application because they are contained in unmodified, autologous, adipose-derived regenerative cells (UA-ADRCs). The latter can be obtained from and re-applied to the same patient at the point of care, without the need for further processing, manipulation, and culturing. These findings as well as various clinical examples presented in this paper demonstrate the potential of UA-ADRCs for enabling an entirely new generation of medicine for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems.

Why and how to use the body's own stem cells for regeneration in musculoskeletal disorders: a primer

“…This is based not only on ethical concerns and the risk of development of teratomas (i.e. tumors derived from embryonic stem cells), but also on the allogeneic nature of embryonic cells [ 1 , 2 ]. Even for so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), the development of which was honored with a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012, clinical applications are missing, not only for the complexity of the procedure, but particularly based on the risk of malignant transformation of these cells (i.e.…”

“…Even for so-called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), the development of which was honored with a Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012, clinical applications are missing, not only for the complexity of the procedure, but particularly based on the risk of malignant transformation of these cells (i.e. the development of cancer) [ 1 , 2 ]. For completeness, the transplantation of stem cells from the bone marrow in leukemia [ 3 ] should be mentioned, but this will not be discussed here further.…”

“…On the other hand, there is a further type of stem cells present in the adult body, with the potential to develop (differentiate) into cells of all three embryonic germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]. These cells, which are termed vascular associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells), are located in the walls of small blood vessels [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…On the other hand, there is a further type of stem cells present in the adult body, with the potential to develop (differentiate) into cells of all three embryonic germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]. These cells, which are termed vascular associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells), are located in the walls of small blood vessels [ 1 , 2 ]. Since blood vessels are the basis for the formation of tissue and organs in a developing body, these vaPS cells are also found in every organ of the adult body, including adipose tissue, heart, skin, bone marrow, skeletal muscle and tendons [ 1 ].…”

“…These cells, which are termed vascular associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells), are located in the walls of small blood vessels [ 1 , 2 ]. Since blood vessels are the basis for the formation of tissue and organs in a developing body, these vaPS cells are also found in every organ of the adult body, including adipose tissue, heart, skin, bone marrow, skeletal muscle and tendons [ 1 ]. It is currently unknown to which extent these vaPS cells participate in the physiological maintenance and restoration of organ functions.…”