CHARACTERIZATION AND ISOLATION OF VERY SMALL EMBRYONIC-LIKE (VSEL) STEM CELLS OBTAINED FROM HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD

Abstract

Objective: Stem cell transplantation is considered to be one of the available treatments for malign or hereditary blood diseases and bone marrow failure. Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) are widely used for this technique. Recently a new type of stem cell with a pluripotent potential has been identified. These cells, called very small embryonic-like (VSEL) stem cells, are thought to be found in peripheral blood (PB) in adult individuals. The aim of this study was to obtain and identify VSEL stem cells using a peripheral blood source.