Primary Mesenchymal Cells / Edition 1

by F. Koller, Bernhard ï Palsson, John Masters

Overview

The human body contains many specialized tissues that are capable of fulfilling an incredible variety of functions necessary for our survival. This volume in the Human Cell Culture Series focuses on mesenchymal tissues and cells. The in vitro study of mesenchymal cells is perhaps the oldest form of human cell culture, beginning with the culturing of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts have long been generically described in the literature, arising from many tissue types upon in vitro cell culture. However, recent studies, many enabled by new molecular biology techniques, have shown considerable diversity in fibroblast type and function, as described within this volume. Mesenchymal tissue types that are described within include bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments, muscle, adipose tissue, and skin (dermis). The proper function of these tissues is predominantly dependent upon the proper proliferation, differentiation, and function of the mesenchymal cells which make up the tissue. Recent advancements in primary human mesenchymal cell culture have led to remarkable progress in the study of these tissues. Landmark experiments have now demonstrated a stem cell basis for many of these tissues, and, furthermore, significant plasticity and inter-conversion of stem cells between these tissues, resulting in a great deal of contemporary excitement and controversy. Newly-developed mesenchymal cell culture techniques have even lead to novel clinical practices for the treatment of disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780792367611
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	02/28/2001
Series:	Human Cell Culture , #5
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.17(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Articular Cartilage.- Tendon and Ligaments.- Periodontal Ligaments.- Vascular Smooth Muscle.- Skeletal Muscle.- Cardiomyocytes.- Dermal Fibroblasts.- Adipose Tissue.- Mesenchymal Stem Cells.- Peripheral Blood Fibrocytes.- Osteoblasts.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Alvin Telser, PhD (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This book, volume V in the series Human Cell Culture, contains descriptions of experimental procedures for isolating and growing mesenchymal cells in culture and encouraging their differentiation into specific differentiated cells.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a collection of procedures for preparing cells that can differentiate from mesenchymal cells, largely with a focus on using the differentiated cells for tissue repair or "engineering." Books that contain reliable and easy to follow experimental protocols are generally very useful; this is such a book.
Audience: It is intended for persons who are not already experts in the field but wish to learn some of the basic techniques and approaches to this field. The authors of the 11 chapters are authorities in the field.
Features: The book covers a number of techniques that can be used to isolate, grow, and assay stem cells that can be grown in culture to differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, skeletal muscle, and vascular smooth muscle cells as well as a number of tissue specific fibroblasts. The only minor weakness in this book is the relatively small number of illustrations and rather poor quality with which they are printed; however, this is not a serious shortcoming since the pictures do not add much to the description of the protocols. Unfortunately, the book lacks an index, but it is short enough to allow an individual to find most of what might be sought by perusing a relevant chapter.
Assessment: This concise but useful book would be a valuable reference for any researcher who wishes to become familiar with current techniques to isolate and culture mesenchymal cells from a number of sources.

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