Tissue Stem Cell Research in the Field of Otorhinolaryngology

Abstract

The field of otorhinolaryngology covers the ear, nose, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, esophagus, and neck. Each organ is composed of various tissues, such as bone, cartilage, muscle, connective tissue, mucosa, vessels and nerves.

Many of the cells show constant cell loss due to cell death, and homeostasis is maintained by the supply from tissue stem cells, which is thought to contribute to the repair and regeneration of tissues when damaged.

Tissue stem cells are multipotent cells with the ability for self-renewal, and can differentiate into multiple types of cells that constitute a tissue.

While research on tissue stem cells began with hematopoietic stem cells, stem cells from various organs have been identified, such as those from the skin, intestine and neural tissue. In regard to the environment that maintains tissue stem cells, a special microenvironment termed the “niche” exists within each tissue that allows the cell number and undifferentiated state of stem cells to be maintained.

This paper will attempt to provide a basic knowledge of stem cells and tissue stem cells, the available experimental methods such as organoid and cell lineage-tracing for stem cell identification, the major tissue stem cells, and tissue stem cell research in the field of otorhinolaryngology.