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#unipotent stem cells

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Which of the following stem cells has the narrowest differentiation potential?

Differentiation potential hierarchy is conventionally ordered conceptually from broadest to narrowest developmental outcome: totipotent covering entire organism plus supportive extraembryonic membranes, pluripotent covering all embryonic germ layers ectoderm mesoderm endoderm, multipotent covering multiple related types within a tissue system like blood, oligopotent covering few types, and unipotent covering single type such as muscle satellite cell generating myocyte or spermatogonial stem cell generating spermatozoon while still retaining long-term self-renewal capacity. Hence unipotent cells exhibit most restricted fate scope, although they remain bona fide stem cells due to maintenance capability and transplantation reconstitution ability over lifetime.

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 6: Unipotent narrowest differentiation potential hierarchy definition.

Which of the following is an example of a unipotent stem cell?

Unipotent stem cells self-renew and produce only single differentiated lineage, unlike multipotent or pluripotent counterparts generating multiple fates. Spermatogonial stem cells residing on basement membrane of seminiferous tubules supported by Sertoli cell niche via GDNF and FGF2 divide to maintain themselves and produce differentiating spermatogonia that undergo meiosis forming spermatozoa exclusively, ensuring lifelong spermatogenesis. Hematopoietic stem cells multipotent generating myeloid and lymphoid lineages, mesenchymal stem multipotent forming bone fat cartilage, neural crest stem multipotent forming neurons glia melanocytes. Spermatogonial unipotency reflects commitment to spermatogenesis ensuring continuous gamete production throughout male reproductive lifespan and fertility.

Ref: de Rooij and Russell, Spermatogonial Stem Cells, Chapter 1: Unipotent Spermatogonial Stem Cells.