Review Article
The Stemness Phenotype Model
Table 6
Comparison between the SPM and other alternative models.
| Model | Hierarchy | Interconversion between CSCs and non-CSCs | Influence of the microenvironment on stemness | Origin of heterogeneity | Reference |
| Classical CSC model | Yes | No | Noa | Existence of different subpopulations. The origin of each subpopulation (e.g., CSCs) is controversial. | [6, 15, 84, 85] | SPM | No | Yes | Yes | Microenvironment-driven phenotypic changes | [6] | Complex system model | Partial (some differentiated cells may not interconvert) | Probably yes (not clearly mentioned) | Probably yes (referred at “the niche”) | Genetic, epigenetics Cell-cell and cell-niche interactions | [84] | Dynamic CSC model | No | Yes | Yes | Genetic, epigenetics, microenvironment-driven phenotypic changes | [85] | Reprogramming model | No | Yes | Yes | Epigenetics, endogenous transcriptional reprogramming networks, microenvironmental signals | [15] |
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aIn the classical CSC, cells are preferentially enriched in specific niches rather than shaped by the microenvironment.
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