Stem Cells

Question 1

Defining properties?

Answer 1

Self-renewal
Capacity for differentiation
Unspecialised

Question 2

Self-renewal?

Answer 2

Indefinite proliferation
telomerase activity
normal karyotype maintained
marker expression profiles

Question 3

Embryo development?

Answer 3

-

Question 4

What controls self-renewal?

Answer 4

Sox2
Oct4
Nanog
Klf4
...Myc

Question 5

How is self-renewal characterised?

Answer 5

Morphology
TF expression
normal karyotype
long telomeres
dependence on glycolytic metabolism

Question 6

How is pluripotency characterised?

Answer 6

Chimera formation
Differentiation
Genetic markers
Teratoma formation

Question 7

Developmental potentials and epigenetic status

Answer 7

-

Question 8

Adult stem cell sources?

Answer 8

Haematopoetic SC (bone marrow or cord blood)
Bone marrow SC
Adipose tissue SC
Cord blood SC
Neural SC

Question 9

ASC disadvantages?

Answer 9

Cells move away from transplantation site

Cell integration not significant

Question 10

Stem cell niche definition?

Answer 10

An anatomical site that ‘fixes’ stem cells in place and prevents their maturation allowing them to proliferate and retain stemness

Question 11

Describe different types of niches

Answer 11

Simple
Storage
Complex

Question 12

ECM function?

Answer 12

Structural support for cells (mech strength)
Regulates cell functions (division, adhesion, migration, differentiation)
Conduit for information exchange

Question 13

Describe SCNT

Answer 13

-

Question 14

Describe ANT

Answer 14

-

Question 15

iPSC virus mediated TFs?

Answer 15

cMyc, Klf4, Sox2, Oct4

Question 16

iPSC limitations?

Answer 16

lack of endogenous pluripotency gene expression
incomplete reprogramming of gene expression
incomplete epigenetic reprogramming
limited developmental potency (low chimera formation)
permanent integration of retrovirus into genome