Characterization of Nestin, a Selective Marker for Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 1

Representation of Nes⁺ cells in different developmental phases. Nes⁺ cells may represent different cell population at developmental and adult stages. Nes⁺ cells contain both endothelial and nonendothelial cells in developing bone marrow and nonendothelial Nes⁺ cells participate in endochondral ossification as MSCs. In adult bone marrow, a small portion of Nes⁺ cells overlap with LepR⁺ cells which contain most CFU-F cells while most Nes⁺ cells are vascular cells to help build blood vessel walls and maintain the niche for HSCs. The relationship between Nes⁺ cells and endothelial cells in adult is still unknown.