6 replies to this topic

[caliban]

i.e. a somatic, fully differentiated, fully committed, non-senescent, workers bee-type normal friggin cell ?

is there a single bloody word for it?

Many thanks
C. Annoyed

[John Schloendorn]

I think committed is pretty good. It says that it does not have a developmental choice, which is the key stem cell criterion. There is no stem cell that is committed and no non-stem cell (except a germ cell) that is not committed. Depending on where in the continuum of differentiation you are, you can say fully, strongly, partially committed, ect.

[John Schloendorn]

But Prometheus, there are multiple cell types that are mitotic, but commonly not called stem cells e.g. beta cells, hepatocytes, fibroblasts. (though they can undergo transient non-mitotic periods)

[caliban]

prometheus:

their ability to divide

caliban:

non-senescent

senescence describes an essentially irreversible arrest of cell division [Campisi]

thus
Post-mitotic = senescent ? [glasses]

maybe, but thats not what I'm after.

John:

I think committed is pretty good. It says that it does not have a developmental choice, which is the key stem cell criterion.

Is it? Does an ES cell have a "choice"? Are we off to a free will debate now? [tung]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess it boils down to the question if there is such a thing as a unipotent stem / progenitor cell.

[jaydfox]

senescence describes an essentially irreversible arrest of cell division [Campisi]

thus
Post-mitotic = senescent ?

Well, I think the difference is in the mechanism. Senescence would apply also to cells that perhaps should be dividing (e.g. they were stem cells), but due to safety mechanisms, their mitotic ability has been disabled. On the other hand, I wouldn't consider most of my brain cells senescent, even though they are post-mitotic.