multipotent

Multipotent describes cells that have the capacity to differentiate into multiple, but limited, cell types. These cells can also self-renew to a limited extent and are typically restricted to cell types within a particular lineage or tissue.

In humans, multipotent cells are found in many tissues. Hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow generate all blood cell lineages, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes, among others. Neural stem cells can produce neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes.

Multipotency is intermediate between pluripotency, which allows differentiation into cells of all three germ layers, and unipotency or totipotency, which describe broader or maximal differentiation potential, respectively. The potency of multipotent cells is evaluated in the context of tissue-specific developmental pathways and functional assays.

Applications of multipotent cells include regenerative medicine and tissue repair, such as bone regeneration and treatment of hematologic or inflammatory conditions. They are also studied for their immunomodulatory properties and potential to support healing in various tissues. Limitations include restricted differentiation potential compared with pluripotent cells, variability among cell populations, and challenges in controlled expansion and directed differentiation in laboratory settings.