What are Progenitor cells? Comparison Between Progenitor and Stem cells.

1. PROGENITOR CELLS
Submitted To : Dr. Geeta Singh Submitted By: Muskan Pawar
Department of Biomedical Engineering Roll No. 13001007011
Subject :Tissue Engineering B.Tech. Biomedical Engineering
4th Year(8th Semester)

3. Progenitor Cell :
 Progenitor Cells are cells with the capability of differentiating into several different
cell types as needed.
 Progenitor Cell is a biological cell that is like a Stem Cell , but is already more
specific than a stem and is pushed to differentiate into its target cell.
 Progenitor means a direct ancestor or an originator or founder of a future
development.
 These cells are found in numerous locations within the body and are being
produced all the time to keep up a continuous supply of fresh cells.

4. Stem Cells:
 A simple cell in the body that is able to develop into any one of various kinds of
cells(such as blood cells , skin cells , etc ).
Or
An unspecialized cell capable of perpetuating itself through cell division
and having the potential to give rise to differentiated cells with specialized functions.

5. Example of Progenitor Cell:
 An example of a progenitor cell is an undifferentiated blood cell produced in the
bone marrow. The cell could mature into any number of blood cells, but it cannot
grow up to be another cell type like a muscle cell or a nerve cell.

6. Difference between Stem Cell and Progenitor
Cell
Stem Cell
 On The Basis of Description:
Stem Cells are reserve cells that have
the ability to change into many different
types of cells and grow indefinitely. They
have the potential to create many new
different cells that can help replace dying
and/or damaged cells. Stem cells also
have the potential to create new tissue
and even whole organs from just a few
stem cells.
Progenitor Cell
 On the Basis of Description:
Progenitor cell are very similar to stem
cells. They are biological cells and like
stem cells, they too have the ability to
differentiate into a specific type of cell.
However, they are already more specific
than stem cells and can only be pushed
to differentiate into its "target" cell.

7. Stem Cells:
On the Basis of Types:
Four main types of stem cells:
 Adult or somatic stem cells
 Fetal stem cells
 Embryonic stem cells
 Induced stem cells
Progenitor Cells:
On the Basis of Types:
Many, as each "target" cell has its
own progenitor cell. Some of the
types include:
 Satellite cells found in muscles.
 Bone marrow stromal cells
 Pancreatic progenitor cells
 Angioblasts or endothelial progenitor
cells (EPC)
 Blast cells

8. Blood Cell Production:

9. Stem Cells:
Features:
 Multiply by cell division to replenish
dying cells and regenerate damaged
tissues.
 Generate all the cell types of the
organ from which they originate.
 Potentially regenerating the entire
organ from a few cells.
Progenitor Cells:
Features:
 Tendency to differentiate into a
specific type of cell, but is already
more specific than a stem cell and is
pushed to differentiate into its "target"
cell.
 Can divide only a limited number of
times.

10. Stem Cells:
Benefits:
 They have the potential to increase
healing and for potentially
regenerating an entire organ from a
few cells.
 They are investigated in treatment of:
Diabetes , Wound Heeling , Anti-
cancer , Baldness ,Replace missing
teeth, Repair hearing , Restore vision
Progenitor Cells:
Benefits:
 They act as a repair system for the
body.
 They replenish special cells, but also
maintain the blood, skin and intestinal
tissues.
 Progenitor cells can be activated in
case of tissue injury, damaged or
dead cells. It leads to the recovery of
the tissue.

11. Stem Cells:
 Controversy:
The use of human adult stem cells in
research and therapy is not considered
to be controversial. The use of human
embryonic stem cells in research and
therapy is controversial as they are
derived from human 5 day old embryos
generated by IVF (in vitro fertility) clinics
designated for scientific research.
Progenitor Cells:
 Controversy:
The progenitor cells are not subject to
controversy.

12. References:
 http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-are-progenitor-cells.htm
 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/progenitor
 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stem%20cell
 http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-stem-cell-and-progenitor-cell