stemcelllike

Stemcelllike is a descriptive term used in biology to describe cells that resemble stem cells in their behavior or molecular features. Such cells may display self-renewal and multipotency or pluripotency and express gene programs similar to those of authentic stem cells, but they are not necessarily true stem cells. The label is commonly applied to cells arising from reprogramming of somatic cells, to progenitor or lineage-committed cells that retain partial stem cell traits, or to subpopulations within tumors that resemble stem cells.

Key characteristics often cited for stemcelllike cells include the capacity for clonal expansion, the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages, and a gene expression profile enriched for stem cell–associated markers. Functional assays such as sphere or colony formation, differentiation tests, or, in the case of pluripotent populations, embryoid body formation and, in vivo, teratoma formation, are used to evaluate stemcelllike status.

The term acknowledges a spectrum rather than a binary classification: stemcelllike cells may closely resemble stem cells under certain conditions or in vitro, but environmental cues and genetic context can alter their potency and stability. Because of this, stemcelllike status is often contingent on the assay used and the lineage or tissue of origin.

In research, stemcelllike cells are relevant to studies of development, tissue regeneration, cancer biology, and drug screening. They can model stem cell behavior without using authentic stem cells, but their use also raises considerations about stability, safety, and interpretation of results. Related concepts include stem cells, pluripotency, induced pluripotent stem cells, cancer stem cells, and organoid systems.