cellspecialisering

Cellspecialisering, also known as cell differentiation, is the process by which unspecialized cells acquire distinct structures and functions to form and maintain tissues and organs in multicellular organisms. It explains how a single genome can yield many cell types with different roles.

Differentiation is driven by regulated gene expression. Cells activate tissue-specific genes while suppressing others, guided by transcription factors, signaling pathways, and epigenetic changes that alter chromatin accessibility. Key pathways include Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog signaling, which convey developmental cues.

Cell potency describes how freely a cell can differentiate. Totipotent cells can form all cell types, pluripotent cells form all germ layers, multipotent cells generate multiple cell types within a lineage, and unipotent cells are committed to a single lineage. Development involves lineage specification to muscle, nerve, and epithelium.

In adulthood, stem cells maintain tissues and contribute to repair. Differentiation is normally stable, but cells may dedifferentiate or transdifferentiate under certain conditions.

Clinically, understanding differentiation supports regenerative medicine, cancer research, and organoid models. Controlling differentiation is essential for stem cell therapies and tissue engineering.

Researchers study differentiation with lineage tracing, single-cell transcriptomics, and epigenomic profiling.