Mesenchymale

Mesenchymal, often rendered as mesenchymale in some languages, refers to mesenchyme, the loose embryonic connective tissue that originates mainly from the mesoderm. In developmental biology, mesenchymal cells are characteristically spindle-shaped or star-shaped, embedded in an extracellular matrix rich in glycosaminoglycans, and capable of migrating and differentiating into various tissue types.

During embryogenesis, mesenchymal cells give rise to the body's connective tissues, including bone, cartilage, adipose tissue, tendons, ligaments, dermis, and the supporting stroma of organs. In adults, a population of cells with similar properties—often called mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs)—remains in several tissues, notably bone marrow, adipose tissue, dental pulp, and the umbilical cord.

MSCs are multipotent: they can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and, under certain conditions, myocytes or other lineages. They are typically characterized in culture by adherence to plastic surfaces, rapid expansion, and a surface marker profile that is positive for CD105, CD73, and CD90 and negative for hematopoietic markers such as CD45 and CD34, though marker expression can vary among sources.

In addition to differentiation, mesenchymal cells and MSCs have immunomodulatory and trophic effects. They seed cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles that can influence inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. Because of these properties, MSCs are studied and used in regenerative medicine and experimental therapies for conditions such as graft-versus-host disease and degenerative diseases, though clinical outcomes vary and research continues.

See also: mesenchyme, mesoderm, stem cell.