Researchers Identify Population of Adult Stem Cells With Ability To Regenerate Other Tissues

In a promising finding for the field of **regenerative medicine**, stem cell researchers at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have identified a source of **adult stem cells** found on the walls of blood vessels with the unlimited **potential to differentiate** into human tissues such as bone, cartilage and muscle. The scientists, led by Bruno Péault, PhD, deputy director of the Stem Cell Research Center at Children’s Hospital, identified cells known as pericytes that are multipotent, meaning they have broad developmental potential. Pericytes are found on the walls of small blood vessels such as capillaries and microvessels throughout the body and have the potential to be extracted and grown into many types of tissues, according to the study. "Children Hospital of Pittsburg of UPMC":[ http://www.chp.edu/CHP/092208]

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