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Which specialized cell types can develop from stem cells?

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Diagram showing the locations of neural stem cells in brain regions such as the hippocampus and ventricles, and hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and blood, with labeled illustrations of the brain, spinal cord, circulatory system, and skeleton. — stem cell Stem cells of neural and hematopoietic origin have tremendous potential in the development of therapies for certain diseases, such as diabetes and Parkinson disease. Neural stem cells occur in the spinal cord and in specific regions of the brain, and hematopoietic stem cells occur in the blood and bone marrow.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation, the process by which they develop into specialized cells with distinct structures and functions. Through this process, stem cells serve as the body's raw materials for growth, repair, and tissue renewal.123

The specific cell types that develop from stem cells depend on the stem cell's origin and the environmental signals they receive. Examples include:24

Blood and Immune Cells: Hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow differentiate into red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and lymphocytes.24
Structural and Connective Tissues: Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into cells that form bone, muscle, and connective tissue.4
Embryonic Development: During development, embryonic stem cells differentiate into the three germ layers—the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm—which eventually give rise to all tissues and organs, including the brain, nerves, skin, lungs, and the digestive tract.23

Research into these processes is vital for developing therapies to replace damaged cells in conditions such as Parkinson disease, diabetes, and heart disease.13