What is the Difference Between Pluripotent and Multipotent Stem Cells?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Pluripotent and multipotent stem cells are two types of stem cells that differ in their ability to differentiate into various cell types. Here are the main differences between them:
- Pluripotent Stem Cells:
- Can give rise to all cell types that make up the body, but not the placenta.
- Examples include embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.
- Often referred to as true stem cells since they have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell lineage.
- Multipotent Stem Cells:
- Can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells.
- Can differentiate into a limited range of cell types within a particular lineage.
- Examples include adult stem cells, cord blood stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells.
In summary, pluripotent stem cells have a higher potency and can differentiate into any cell type in the body, while multipotent stem cells have a lower potency and can differentiate into a limited range of cell types within a specific lineage.
Comparative Table: Pluripotent vs Multipotent Stem Cells
Here is a table comparing the differences between pluripotent and multipotent stem cells:
Feature | Pluripotent Stem Cells | Multipotent Stem Cells |
---|---|---|
Definition | Cells that can give rise to all cell types in the body | Cells that can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells |
Potency | High | Medium |
Cell Types | Can differentiate into cells from any of the three germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm) | Can differentiate into a limited range of cell types |
Examples | Embryonic stem cells, Induced pluripotent stem cells | Hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells |
Found | Inner mass cells of the blastocyst | In many tissues |
Expression of Pluripotency Genes | +++ | ++ |
Expression of Lineage-specific Genes | ++ | +++ |
Pluripotent stem cells are capable of giving rise to all cell types in the body, while multipotent stem cells can develop into a limited number of cell types. Pluripotent stem cells are found in the inner mass of the blastocyst and are considered to have a high potency, meaning they can differentiate into cells from any of the three germ layers. On the other hand, multipotent stem cells are found in many tissues and have a medium potency, meaning they can differentiate into a limited range of cell types. Adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are considered multipotent.
- Pluripotent vs Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
- Pluripotent vs Totipotent
- Progenitor Cells vs Stem Cells
- Stem Cells vs Differentiated Cells
- Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Mesenchymal vs Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells vs Progenitor Cells
- Stem Cells vs Normal Cells
- Specialized Cells vs Stem Cells
- Stem Cell Differentiation vs Self Renewal
- Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells
- Neural Stem Cells vs Neural Progenitor Cells
- Adult vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Fetal vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Cord Blood vs Bone Marrow Stem Cells
- Cell Proliferation vs Differentiation
- IPS Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Mesenchymal Markers vs Stem Cell Markers