The emergence of the stem cell niche

Stem cell niches are composed of dynamic microenvironments that support stem cells over a lifetime. The emerging niche is distinct from the adult because its main role is to support the progenitors that build organ systems in develop-ment. Emerging niches mature through distinct stages to form the adult niche and enable proper stem cell support. As a model of emerging niches, this review highlights how differences in the skeletal muscle microenvironment influence emerging versus satellite cell (SC) niche formation in skeletal muscle, which is among the most regenerative tissue systems. We contrast how stem cell niches regulate intrinsic properties between progenitor and stem cells throughout development to adulthood. We describe new applications for generating emerging niches from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using developmental principles and highlight potential applications for regeneration and therapeutics.

Automated summary

Stem cell niches are dynamic microenvironments that support stem cells throughout life. The emerging niche, distinct from the adult niche, is responsible for supporting progenitor cells during organ system development. This review focuses on the skeletal muscle microenvironment and how it influences the formation of emerging niches and satellite cell niches. The regulation of intrinsic properties of progenitor and stem cells by stem cell niches from development to adulthood is discussed, along with the potential applications of generating emerging niches from human pluripotent stem cells for regeneration and therapeutics.