Peripheral blood has been routinely used as a source of hematopoietic progenitor cells for allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Recent studies have demonstrated that a low number of mesenchymal stem cells are also present in the peripheral blood. They share the same surface markers as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and are capable of differentiating into mesenchymal lineage cells including osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. Although their origin and destination are unclear, their presence in the peripheral blood of adults seems to represent an important and powerful tool for regenerative medicine and cell therapy.
Mesenchymal stem cell; hematopoietic stem cell; colony-forming units- fibroblastic (CFU-Fs); peripheral blood; mobilization
