Table 1 Traits and properties assigned to the three distinct niche states
From: Articulating the “stem cell niche” paradigm through the lens of non-model aquatic invertebrates
Property/trait | A | B | C |
|---|---|---|---|
Structural support | No, ASCs are niche-like independent entities | No, whole tissue/organism consideration | Yes, spatially confined |
Maintenance and regulation of ASCs | At the level of each specific ASC | Loosely- on the whole organ/tissue/organism level | Tight |
Cell-cell interactions | Stochastic, local interactions | Stochastic- on the whole organ/tissue/organism level | ASCs interact with specific niche cells (adhesive interactions) |
Cell- environment interactions | Indistinguishable between somatic cells and ASCs | Stochastic- on the whole organ/tissue/organism level | ASCs interact with specific cues from the environment |
Physiological cues | Indistinguishable between somatic cells and ASCs | Stochastic- on the whole organ/tissue/organism level | Yes |
Trophic support | No | Unknown | Yes |
topographical features | No | No | Yes |
Niche functionality | No | No | Yes |
ASC fates | Independent to any specific microenvironment | Independent to any specific microenvironment | Linked with their homing niche |
ASCs- cell cycle modifications | Stochastic | Stochastic | Specified to niches |
Regulation | At the ASC level | At the entire organism/tissue levels | At the niche level |
Peak potency of ASCs | Totipotency and pluripotency | Totipotency and pluripotency | Multipotency (few cases of pluripotency) |