Stromal cells are the connective tissue cells for all organs in the human body. The most common types these cells in our bodies are Pericytes and Fibroblasts (skin cells)
Stromal cells can be found in the:
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Mucous membranes
- Lymph nodes
- Prostate
- Ovaries
- Bone marrow
- Adipose Tissue
- Pancreas
The primary function of the stromal cells are to support functions of the parenchymal cells of the specific organ in which they are found.[1] Widely used today in regenerative medicine centers are MSCs cells or Mesenchymal stem cells which are essentially multipotent stromal cells and used in many stem cell therapies including spinal cord injuries.[2] Stromal cells posses broad immunoregulatory properties.
Stromal cells are unique in cancer research also. The general interaction between cancerous tumor cells and stromal cells is what is believed to play a significant role in cancer growth and development.[3]
Fibroblast Stromal cells in the epidermis (outer) layer of our skin constantly releases immuno growth factors that help promote cell division that keeps our skin healthy and fresh. Certain skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma cannot spread throughout the body because the cancer cells require nearby stromal cells beyond the skin areas to continue its constant division. By removing these stromal cell growth factors in certain instances we can prevent some cancers from spreading themselves to other vital organs.
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Published Clinical Citations
[1] ^ Anna-Maaria Vähä, Anniina Veijola, Henna Karvonen, Siri Lehtonen, Riitta Kaarteenaho, P053 Variable effect of pirfenidone, nintedanib and N-acetylcysteine solely and combined on stromal cells of different types of pulmonary fibroses , QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 109, Issue suppl_1, September 2016, Page S39, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcw124.025
[2] ^ Karen English, Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for pulmonary fibrosis , QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 109, Issue suppl_1, September 2016, Page S30, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcw119.030
[3] ^ J. Stolk, W. Broekman, T. Mauad, J.J. Zwaginga, H. Roelofs, W.E. Fibbe, J. Oostendorp, I. Bajema, M.I.M. Versteegh, C. Taube, P.S. Hiemstra, A phase I study for intravenous autologous mesenchymal stromal cell administration to patients with severe emphysema, QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 109, Issue 5, May 2016, Pages 331–336, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcw001